Derge Kangyur/Tengyur e-text, Esukhia/Barom edition — public domain (mechanical reproduction)
This fragment introduces a text titled The View of the Doha Songs of Practice (Caryā-dṛṣṭi-dohā-gītikā-nāma), which focuses on the behavioral and philosophical framework of the doha tradition. The text begins with a traditional invocation to Vajrayoginī and immediately addresses the external manifestations of the yogic path. By describing the practitioner as appearing like a madman who assumes various guises and carries a peacock-feather parasol, the work commits the reader to an understanding of unconventional conduct (caryā) as a primary feature of the practice. The fragment suggests a pedagogical approach where the author, Lūyi, utilizes the doha form—spontaneous songs of realization—to articulate a specific view of spiritual practice that transcends conventional social norms and appearances.
Provenance
About this text
A treatise on the view of the song of the doha conduct, the Dohacaryāgītikādṛṣṭi belongs to the General Unexcelled Yoga Tantra Works. It is attributed to the Indian author Kirapa. The work was translated into classical Tibetan by Ratnaphala and is preserved in volume ཟི of the Tengyur, where it extends over two pages. The text opens with an invocation to Vajrayoginī and addresses the external manifestations of the yogic path. It describes the practitioner as appearing like a madman who assumes various guises and carries a peacock-feather parasol, thereby framing unconventional conduct as a primary feature of the practice. Through the voice of Lūyi, the work utilizes the doha form—spontaneous songs of realization—to articulate a spiritual view that transcends conventional social norms and appearances. A scholar or serious reader consults this fragment today to examine the behavioral and philosophical framework of the doha tradition and its pedagogical approach to the path of the Victors.
Cite thisAnuvāda, “The View of the Dohā Songs of Practice” (Toh 2425), machine draft, 2026.https://naxiai.com/tibetan/works/toh2425
Summary & commentary
Significance
The work is significant for its documentation of the 'madman' archetype and the use of unconventional behavior as a spiritual tool within the Indo-Tibetan tradition. It provides insight into how the doha genre was used to bridge the gap between formal philosophy and the lived experience of the yogi.
Structure
Passages
Section
Description
1
Introduction
Contains the Sanskrit and Tibetan titles, a devotional homage to Vajrayoginī, and an initial description of the yogi's unconventional appearance.
Themes
Unconventional conduct (caryā) (1)
Yogic identity (1)
Summary, significance and provenance note generated by gemma4:31b from the translation and the catalogue record.
In the language of India: Caryā-dṛṣṭi-dohā-gītikā-nāma. In the language of Tibet: Doha spyod pa’i glu’i lta ba zhes bya ba (The View of the Song of the Doha Conduct). Homage to Vajrayoginī!
Holding aloft a peacock-feather parasol and assuming various guises, the yogi is like a madman. Lūyi says: "For the arrogant, the path of the Victors does not exist." Success is achieved by guarding the fragments of the body. One should receive many empowerments, yet they only deceive one pointlessly. If empowerment is not realized, one will fall under the power of time. Lūyi says: "For the arrogant, the path of the Victors does not exist." Success is achieved by guarding the fragments of the body.
How can yoga be accomplished through sleep, alcohol, quarreling, and sexual union? If one turns away from these, one is bound by the noose of existence. Lūyi says: "For the arrogant, the path of the Victors does not exist." Success is achieved by guarding the fragments of the body. Just as a clay bowl may become a golden ladle at the proper time, if one acts in that way, one will meet the Buddhas. Lūyi says: "For the arrogant, the path of the Victors does not exist." Success is achieved by guarding the fragments of the body.
The View of the Song of the Doha Conduct, composed by the master Kīrapa from the lineage of the master Lūyipāda, is hereby complete.
Translation status: Not among 84000's published translations, and not in progress there. Translations published elsewhere have not been searched for, so one may exist. (source: 84000 catalogue + registry; checked 2026-11-10).
Set in Newsreader and EB Garamond; Tibetan in Noto Serif Tibetan; Chinese in Noto Serif SC.