Derge Kangyur/Tengyur e-text, Esukhia/Barom edition — public domain (mechanical reproduction)
The Song of the Secret Vajra is a pith instruction manual on Mahāmudrā that employs a dense series of paradoxical metaphors, aphorisms, and allegories to guide the practitioner toward non-dual realization. Rather than providing a linear philosophical argument, the text utilizes a 'song' format to disrupt conventional conceptual thinking. It contrasts the diligence of the determined seeker—symbolized by the captain pursuing an island—with the folly of those bound by ignorance, karma, and attachment. The text commits the reader to a path of radical detachment from both pleasure and pain, urging the abandonment of intellectual proliferation in favor of a direct, transparent perception of reality. By weaving together imagery of medicine, commerce, and nature, the work emphasizes that liberation requires a precise, timely application of instructions and a willingness to discard the 'heavy burden' of conceptual constructs to achieve the state of the Great Seal.
Provenance
About this text
A work of instruction on Mahāmudrā, the Mahāmudropadeśavajraguhyagīti belongs to the tradition of the General Unexcelled Yoga Tantra Works. It is attributed to the Indian author Saraha (II). The text passed into the Tibetan language through the work of the translators Kamalaśrī and bod kyi ban+de lo tsa ba zha ma ston pa seng ge rgyal po, and it is preserved in the Tengyur, volume ཟི, where it extends over fourteen pages. In its Tibetan form, it is known as the phyag rgya chen po'i man ngag rdo rje gsang ba'i glu. The work enacts a path toward non-dual realization by employing a dense series of paradoxical metaphors, aphorisms, and allegories. Rather than utilizing linear philosophical arguments, it adopts a song format to disrupt conventional conceptual thinking, contrasting the diligence of the determined seeker—symbolized by a captain pursuing an island—with the folly of those bound by ignorance and attachment. A scholar or serious reader consults this classical Tibetan text today to examine its commitment to radical detachment and its use of imagery from medicine, commerce, and nature to emphasize that liberation requires the precise application of instructions and the abandonment of intellectual proliferation in favor of direct perception.
Sanskrit title
Mahāmudropadeśavajraguhyagīti
Indian author
Saraha (II)
Tibetan translators
Kamalaśrī, bod kyi ban+de lo tsa ba zha ma ston pa seng ge rgyal po
Cite thisAnuvāda, “The Song of the Secret Vajra, Personal Instructions on the Great Seal” (Toh 2440), machine draft, 2026.https://naxiai.com/tibetan/works/toh2440
Summary & commentary
Significance
This work is significant as an example of the 'pith instruction' genre, where the goal is to trigger a direct experience of the nature of mind rather than provide a theoretical treatise. For the modern reader, it illustrates the use of non-linear, poetic pedagogy in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism to bypass the discursive mind.
Structure
Passages
Section
Description
1-18
Pith Instructions
A series of metaphorical verses addressing the necessity of a guide, the dangers of ignorance, and the nature of non-dual awareness.
Themes
The Necessity of the Guide (2, 6, 9)
Ignorance and Karma (4, 7, 9)
Non-duality and Emptiness (5, 11, 14)
Detachment and Liberation (4, 8, 13)
Summary, significance and provenance note generated by gemma4:31b from the translation and the catalogue record.
AnuvādaThe Song of the Secret Vajra, Personal Instructions on the Great Seal·
In the language of India: Mahāmudropadeśavajraguhyagīti. In the language of Tibet: Phyag rgya chen po’i man ngag rdo rje gsang ba’i glu (The Secret Vajra Song of the Pith Instructions on Mahāmudrā). Homage to the Bhagavatī Prajñāpāramitā!
Kye ho! The son of the royal lineage shall uphold it; the master of the alchemical elixir understands it. The skilled captain, knowing the way of the ocean, is wise. The eyes of the Kriṇa see the power of the jewel. Through the accomplishment of the pill, the Brahmin’s task is complete. The water descending from the snow mountains is stainless. Forms extracted from the mudrā are inseparable. Gold has no need for a silver rim; it is pure gold. The form of the rhinoceros horn is not made by a craftsman. The ropes of the boat are linked in a continuous chain. The Magadhan master bestows the treasury upon his son. The queen does not waver from the sovereign’s word. To know the hidden flaw is not difficult; it is a magical illusion. By the power of drinking wild honey, it does not take long. There is no need for a key; it is the gold one has accumulated oneself. The blind man’s eyes are opened; he recognizes the objects for himself. The precious golden thread passes through the eye of the needle. The captain who has reached the island is free from doubt. The sage understands the hidden points of the science of medicine. The rabbit in the moon is freed from its pride. Recognizing the wrong path, one returns to sleep at that time. The power of camphor rushes against the heat. If the jewel is worn on the body, the humors are cleared. When the serpent smells the scent, it flees to the māgadhī. Upon seeing the Lord of Cattle, Umā loosens her crown. The peacock chick does not desire its first nest. The captain who has reached the island has no longing for the wealth.
When the affection of a friend deceives, one must not linger; a man who finds gold pigment does not stay idle. The old captain’s goal of the island is pursued by others; the flexible rope is pulled from the corner of the eye. The sailor who avoids the waves is busy with his limbs; the wind cannot harm the light of the jewel. The elephant dwelling in the forest has attained freedom. At the time of death, one may exercise a little sovereignty; the prince brought to the throne attains the royal seat. Where is the golden vase, cleansed of stains, not beautiful? Look at the captain who is free from internal pain; the wrestler who has drunk the dance-wine loses his dread. The man who recognizes the king does not give rise to conceit; the mother whose son has died is spurred by faith. What use is a golden chain in a dungeon? On the ship, the captain is more precious than the eyes. The jewel taken from the island is cherished; once the ship’s construction is finished, the captain does not delay. The lion’s fur dispels both heat and cold; the snake drinking winter water has no thought of food or drink. Even a golden vessel is suitable for a tooth-cleaning jar. The lion in the mountain ravine has no rival; the one who lets the bull loose does not see the end of the field. The rhinoceros dwelling alone is free from suffering; the sage’s victory banner has no need for vows of restraint. Without interrupting the journey, the Tibetan does not change from the island. How pitiful is the monkey who loves the snare; the fledgling with full wings flies from within. The one with vomiting disease cuts the attachment to food; when one is ordained, one abandons base activities. The sick wild animal is happy when separated from the herd.
The low-caste girl has abandoned her flirtatious charms; what use is a lover to a tomb-guardian? A hero does not retreat from battle without his armor; one rests the weary mind in the shade of a tree. A queen adorned with ornaments captivates the minds of others; a casket of precious treasure is the source of all desires. One who does not rely on skillful means suffers the blazing fire of disease; one who does not depend on a leader is a person whose Vedic knowledge has run its course. One’s own thumb and finger are not the hands of another; a body in the full bloom of youth is blissful wherever it goes. The supreme elixir of alchemy is enough to satisfy the sight; the mind of a girl who dislikes the domestic life is not easily captivated. The charnel grounds of Oḍḍiyāna are the land of wrathful rākṣasīs; the seat of the Sage is the indestructible Vajrāsana. The place of Kāliṅga is where all necessary conditions gather; at the edge of the ocean, the venom of snakes does not arise. In the fortress of jewels, there is no fear or dread; the people of Magadha have abandoned deceit. The secret of the Queen’s entanglement is not dared to be spoken; the lion cub possesses the courage of its own stride. On the downward path, the chariot strives to move forward; the mother of the only son is never without watchfulness. Ask the captain for provisions for the ocean’s path; it is vital to have the leisure to reach the island protected by the raincoat. The captain prepares the equipment for the ship; when the tether of attachment to one’s homeland is severed, the captain’s mind is at ease when the winds of desire arise. The captain does not turn back until the purpose of the island is achieved; the words spoken by the unchanging King are like armor worn in the mind when descending upon a honeycomb. The sign of a rutting elephant is that it drinks the wine of the dance.
The man who sees the golden eye abandons both pleasure and pain; the silkworm is ruined by its own dripping saliva. This is not the fault of another, but born of its own karma; it is not that the alcohol itself possesses any defect. Through the power of ignorance, it vomits forth much saliva; it ruins itself, not anyone else. The glowing iron ground and the mass of fire were not created by the traveler; it is foolish to play with glue for the sake of recognition. How pitiful the deer that sees a mirage as water! As long as the drops have not vanished, the boiling brine will not cool. What use is that man struck by two staffs? The owner of the treasure is a man of low caste. A hive of bees has no fear of smoke. Among all living beings, who has not entered the mouth of the Lord of Death? Unless the elements in the body are disturbed, one is but a stone man. If one calls out a name, can death be turned back? The sight of a venomous snake as an enemy—leaves do not cause you any harm. A child counts the echoes of a sound as pleasant or unpleasant. Finding a treasure in a dream, one grieves upon waking. A wolf, full of malice, bites a goat. Those of noble lineage look upon an enemy as a son. When harm is inflicted, they hold it dear in return. No living being has ever failed to repay a benefit. A dog barking at a stone in a rage is an object of pity. When the fire in the grass is extinguished, the smoke ceases. The deer with perverted vision loses its happiness. Lacking mastery over the body, one relies on suffering. Even a long life ends in ruin—the body of hell. Is there any interval of happiness in this? If the seed is not rotten, it is the cause of the Nyagrodha fruit. Those who drink the heart-blood of the captain are the fortunate ones.
A great ocean formed by the accumulation of drops is wondrous; by seeing the sky, the grasping at the directions of the expanse is destroyed. Look how a momentary connection exhausts an eon. A wild boar’s hair leads the way for a thread of silk; one who does not wear the skin of a khri-nyan is not a sage. A boatman’s limbs are busy for his own sake. When the wings are fully spread, though one stays in the nest, the sky is vast. Look at whatever the purpose of the wish-fulfilling jewel may be. The bud born from a flower ripens in its time. The excellent vase is a vessel from which all needs and desires arise. It is certain that the cause of butter is milk. Gold that is not found is discarded as yellow [dross]. The rays of the sun destroy the depths of darkness. Mercury appearing as gold is nothing else. Water poured into water appears no different. Butter placed in butter is likewise the same. Who can distinguish between the two when they are at the limit? The vapor of the ocean is one in essence with the clouds. There is no difference in the mark left by an iron staff in the sky. Look at the bee that gathers nectar: the load on an elephant’s back is exhausted in the belly of an ant. When the King’s body is stained with impurity, the power of a subtle atom is wondrous. The craftsmanship of the wise is completed in stages. The skillful farmer extends the plow to the various types of soil. You must clear the blocked irrigation channel. Look at the fruit of the gathered peach tree. The sandalwood tree is a place of refuge for snakes. A drop of water cast into the ocean will not dry up. Ornaments arise from gold that has been refined and purified. A man who does not care for his children is like a shipwrecked man on the ocean. Those in the northern continent of Uttarakuru have no longing for wealth.
What use is a captain who seeks no land? Who, desiring happiness, would cast off the heavy burden on their back? One should repay the kindness of the one who opens the eyes of the blind; honor the captain who turns back the swirling waves. In the depths of darkness, the moon in the sky is cherished; who would oppose the one who pulls someone from the mud? Place the captain who leads to the land upon your crown; the mist from the east does not remain in the water of the utpala. The rainbow that appears in the sky does not stay fixed; when the water of a pond is pierced, it is exhausted. Water flows downward and cannot be turned upward; why would the Sage, who acts for the benefit of beings, pass away? Abandon the perception of water in a mirage; when a treasure is found in a dream, it is not real. Do not be attached to this illusory girl; look at that mind seized by the executioner of its own faults. Gold and reeds are equal in their nature as shackles. Seeing molasses without eating it does not make it sweet; one does not find butter in curd without churning it. Does camphor clear a fever without being drunk? The supreme jewel is not something to be hidden away. The power of an axe is lost in the hands of a cripple. Who sees the need for a tumor on a wound? Who is the person who finds the core of a plantain tree? There is no need for work that yields no gold. It is not right to go into a pit while seeing [the light]. One will not find peace while drinking poison until the last drop. What use is medicinal butter that has turned into hala poison? One becomes intoxicated by drinking honey-wine at that very moment. At the time of going, the aggregates are made into bait for the snare. The fool delights in the crown bound by the ogress. The fish loses its happiness when seized by a hook.
One who wishes to die does not heed the words of the physician; they delight in consuming harmful food, discard the perception of precious medicine, and intentionally adopt behaviors that disturb the humors. The fool declares, "The medicine has no power," and by accepting what is unachievable, they remain subject to the king's punishment. Failing to protect the body after purgation, they bring harm upon themselves; the power of a jewel is lost when it is covered by ash. Lion's milk is not kept in a clay pot; the child of an unceasing smoker is heartbroken. It is improper to interrupt the use of beneficial medicine; one should not return empty-handed from an island of jewels. One must not oppose the yoke of a universal monarch; mercury is not turned into iron by gold that lacks the bhr̥ṅgarāja mineral. It is improper to challenge a wrestler who has not mastered his own skill. When the fruit ripens, the original root is destroyed; the owner of the cattle is carried away by the filth of worshipping the liṅga. A deluded king grows old as a servant to his subjects. The most wonderful is the supreme gold, the alchemical elixir; the peacock that looks only at its own tail dies of exhaustion. Poisonous water is not something to be drunk; the Brahmin who became intoxicated by liquor was ruined. O, consider what can be done for the price of one's eyes! The merchant who does not know the way is struck by a staff; the science of craftsmanship is not for sale. The tiger is brought to ruin by its own brilliant stripes; wind and bile do not enter the body from the outside. The lion’s body is destroyed by the perfection of its three skills; take the bear’s suffering when you find the honey. In the midst of the marketplace, the purpose is lost and the goal is not achieved; the man who searches for the rhinoceros suffers greatly. There is no poison within the belly of one who is ill from suspicion.
The head of the supreme nāga is the very basis of suffering. The son of a gandharva is bound by the sound of the lute. The honeycomb is ruined by the gathering of much nectar. Those who desire the path of liberation, pull out the heart of a dog. An elephant dwells in happiness when free from the iron hook. When the service of a king is calculated and counted, it vanishes. What is the use of a bird’s cherishing of its young? Be careful that the mercury does not leak from the vessel. A firefly has no worth as a king due to its pride. A parrot’s young is a flaw because it does not know how to speak. When the bear sees the honeycomb, its eyes look toward the sky. At that time, it is the cause of suffering from not experiencing the jar. One who is unfamiliar with the path through a narrow ravine is full of doubt. The riverbank is the pillow for the boat resting against the tree. Intoxicated by honey, the camel is brought to ruin. When the bride does not see the spectacle in the midst of the market, she is like a medicine that becomes poison if used in the summer. A mind that holds two views cannot accomplish a single purpose. Without leaving the house, the captain will not reach the island. If there is no flaw in the examination, the jewel is polished as treasure. The monkey’s hands and feet are busy when pressed against the upper body. If the nature of the disease is not identified, the treatment turns into a reversal of anger. When the captain sees the treasury, the householder’s pride rises. The lion’s head does not follow after the tether. When the wings of the garuḍa are complete, it does not look back at the nest. When it sees its companion, the rhinoceros hides away. The jackal that has wandered from the village is at ease in body and mind. The enemy’s suffering is absent in the naked body. The ritual of the mask harms the craft of healing. The buffalo’s weary legs find ease on a downward path.
An ox trained by a fool, though tamed by a wise man, will not find comfort after eating poison and digesting it. To be satisfied by listening to the words of the deluded is a pitiful state, like escaping from prison only to pursue a jail cell. It is difficult to sever the inner knots of a continuous chain. The place where the gods' anger arises is the Rough Grove; a monk's dwelling is not among the queens. When caught by a snare, the monkey leaves the forest. A leader of a faction who accepts things with weariness is like a goldsmith who does not wear his own ornaments around his neck. Even if a maidservant finds a jewel, the master takes it away. A captain whose age is advanced will not reach the island. Though beaten by his son, he holds his grandson dear. A lion’s prowess is not honed within a charnel ground. With the behavior of a fox or a bear, one cannot overwhelm the clawed beasts. By associating with a badger, one’s courage declines; following the eyes of a female mouse, one does not hold one’s father’s land. Separated from the snow, the dog bares its fangs. The female cormorant pursued by a hawk is at fault. A stainless alms bowl is an empty vessel. A chariot does not move slowly because of its wheel-axle. To whom is a king’s conduct pleasing when he acts like a commoner? A bee clinging to nectar is consumed by smoke. Upon a lotus, a miraculous vase is beautiful. Unstained by dust and free of tarnish, it is clear; a radiant enclosure free from defects. Unfastened by a cord, it is adorned with the ornaments of the sun and moon. Because it is difficult to find, it is a pity to sell it. The swelling of a lotus does not open downward. Sandalwood water is poured into a flawless vessel. A silver basin that has not been polished does not serve to bring the king’s secret.
Do not pour grain into the hollow of a wall. The ocean is never satiated by the flow of the four rivers. When a captain has found his opportunity, he must achieve the goal of the island. This trade at the crossroads harms the movement of the ship. One should approach the waning moon of the third day. A full river, driven by a circle, thwarts the captain’s purpose. A daughter of the gods appeared at the mouth of the prison. The merchant’s mind is unstable once he has reached the island. One must not take the jewel from the crown of a venomous snake. Abandon the mind of the young wrestler who practices his skills. The queen’s protective weapon was not entrusted to a maidservant. If you desire liberation, churn the drop of vermilion. Water that contains mud will not become clear through turbidity. When seeing a wild dog, one must guard against the destruction of one’s own life. The city of the Gandharvas is not something to be looked upon. If one abandons the behavior of an ant, one will certainly be happy. One should not pluck the sesame flower; it is a pity to cut it. On top of a leaf, the guardian of the tomb’s limbs are at ease. Look at that woman who is weary of the household. The wings of the wheel of delusion are busy with power. This iron seized by the elixir is transformed into gold. Once gold has arisen, one must not dedicate the seed. In the nature of space, there are no directions such as east or south. The color of a crystal ball is changed by the dye of silk. Though colors and shapes are diverse, the place where clouds vanish is the sky. I have never seen the bride of a barren woman’s son. The kārṣāpaṇa coin illustrates the color of a conch shell. Who is the mother that gives birth to space? Space does not waver through the eons of destruction and formation. The sky is not stained by the colors of black and white. Space has not existed since the beginning of time.
Tell me, from where was the sky taken? The colors of a rainbow shine as light from afar; yet when one goes near and searches, they are not found. Who is able to speak of them as being either existent or nonexistent? By what is the iron hammer pierced? This net of Indra’s bow vanishes into the sky. Who possesses a cloak made of the hair of a frog? From whose mouth is this sound of an echo uttered? How pitiful is the monkey searching for the moon in the water! By what was the interior of this gourd hollowed out? A rainbow appeared in the sky, displayed the dharmas, and then departed. Look, O friend! The sky has not increased. Ema! Nor has it become diminished. From what was the basis for attachment made? From what were its causes and conditions produced? It is a great marvel that they are not distinct from one another. Alas! The perception of an illusory person is lost. It cannot perform a function; it is a cage of wealth in a dream. Where has the Vedic knowledge of the stone man gone? The elephant’s head has no horns, so it is free from the fear of breaking. The core of a plantain tree exists neither inside nor out. Without looking, it is improper to take the egg of a venomous snake. Think of the sage’s companion and antidote to disease. The captain’s son asks his father for directions to the island. The great ship casts out enemies who would cause harm. Do not be separated from the necessary conditions; be alert and diligent. Fish and snake meat are dangerous to mistake, so examine them well. Even the Protector of Beings did not see the limits of the sky. In the bodies of hell-beings, there is no room for heat or cold. Once the color has been changed, it returns if soaked in astringent. A healing cloth, though carrying ashes, is without stain. When the leaves and fruit of a creeper have ripened, it is discarded.
If you take food inside, you will be ruined at that very moment. The guests in the shop depart one after another. The saliva of a worm binds itself. A grass torch is easily spread by a spark. A boat crossing the ocean must be careful of leaks. The body of a patient does not become intoxicated by pride. The sage who gives his own life—what a return for him! One must not discard beneficial medicinal butter. One does not look back at the vanishing foam of the ocean. A king does not accomplish the Dharma without leaving his throne. The man who abandons his home and dwells in the forest is happy. Do not drink the heart-blood of a bear; look to your own mouth. The nectar of flowers does not allow the bee to rest. The mute woman chewing molasses—stay silent. The king who rules the continent stays with his son. One should enter the path sought by the wheel. It is not right to abandon a precious, fine mansion. One does not rely on foul food and drink. The brave householder is not driven outside. The man who destroys the greatness of this life is a tomb-guard. One does not place precious ornaments on the neck of an outcaste. The son of a sea-captain follows the conduct of his father. The behavior of a madman is reckless and without focus. One does not utter the secret words of a mute. When a relative becomes an enemy, seek the scent of wisdom. The blind friend does not exert effort for the sake of form. One who wears rags from a dust-heap will not buy a plow. A sick man vomiting water does not look at the Ganges. A goldsmith does not perform other tasks. A pig-herder does not wear fine silks and brocades. One who cannot practice celibacy is in the house of a bamboo-worker. The clever and skillful parrot avoids the flock.
A lame elephant does not chase a field of sugarcane; though bound with golden chains, it cannot move in a steady gait. The captain’s son does not look back at the measuring vessel; though he risks death to reach the island, he does not stay at home. When the young merchants gather, they still pursue the ship; the winds of desire are summoned by the occasional oar. As long as the jewel is not obtained, one does not return. The water-bird born of the cliffs pursues the ocean; the small forest mouse does not store winter grass. When possessed by a demon, one loses the goal on the path. The gull choked by a fish avoids its enemies. The tigress’s den does not stay in one place. The traveler on the road does not carry a gold bag behind him. The leader’s secret counsel is not spoken in the marketplace. One who steals a treasury does not act out of fear. The Brahmin’s Vedas are not for anyone other than his son. The supreme elixir of alchemy is not given for the sake of a fee. The body of a Universal Monarch is adorned with the marks and signs. The Brahma-voice possesses sixty branches. The Sage’s mind is a treasury of all qualities. The precious jewel is the basis from which all needs and desires arise. The king’s trail is led by the golden wheel. The giñjā flower is easily moved by the wind. The lotus that ripens in season is bright in color. The vajra body has conquered the enemies of the elements. The belly of a small child is quick to be full. The body that has drunk mercury is free from aging. The supreme medicine, cool and sweet, requires no large dose. Whatever is spoken becomes meaningful: the words of the Sage. The flower gathered from the island is not without purpose.
For a monk, the meaning of the words does not arise.
In the place of medicine, the source of poison is blocked.
In a magical mirror, both the outer and inner are clear;
Though many are stacked, the reflection does not diminish.
While there is an opening, the transparent object is not obstructed.
A wrestler who has mastered the arts becomes more and more diligent.
Knowing the flaw of a mirage, the perception of water collapses.
When there is fire in the wood, then smoke arises.
The breath that becomes a lamp is a firefly.
Between the mountains and the cliffs, there is no mirage.
The full moon is free from the light of the sun.
Tactile sensation is empty of form within the boiling pot.
The girl in whom the omens have appeared will become a queen.
For eyes that have drunk the vitsi elixir, there is no night.
When the temple door is opened, the sacred image is seen.
The herdsman’s hand gestures point toward the Ganges.
Drinking the beer strained with honey, the body becomes numb.
The inflated bladder shaken in the hunt does not sink to the bottom.
The boat to which the anchor-stone is tied is without wavering.
When the silver mirror is polished, it becomes clear.
The man who has entered the service discards his former conduct.
Though he flies in all directions, he nests in his sleeping place.
When the bucket is full, at that time the rope is pulled.
Look at the consciousness of the man who has caught the meat.
When seeing a fine letter, the mind finds rest.
The wings of the one soaring in the unchanging sky are busy.
The face that fashions pride is understood within.
At the Bodhi tree, the conduct of the Sage is peaceful.
The goldsmith who has reached the request is free from distraction.
Look, O, at the elephant tamed in battle!
One does not see the moon when it is eclipsed by Rāhu; the smoke of a fire is stifled when covered by a lid. When the tinder is finished, the master looks on again and again; when friends are close in Bartika, they part. Look at the direction of the medicine merchant: the grapes do not stay in a heap, but are scattered in the four directions. Once a task is finished, the clay vessel is not for future use; a patient without a pulse should rely on other medicines. The wise elephant trains in both the fierce and the gentle; one should not give clarified butter to a child who has not yet awakened. The pig’s tongue remains, having abandoned both the bitter and the sweet. Look at the Brahmin spinning thread: when the waves are turbulent, the skillful one casts a stone to leap over. Whoever desires happiness should abandon the behavior of a bee. When the royal law and the Dharma prevail, the minister’s efforts cease; the captain who has obtained the jewel is free from anxiety. The king’s daughter does not look at the ornaments of others; if a log is not cleared away, the chariot cannot proceed. The medicinal fruits and leaves are shown to the son of the sage; the goldsmith does not seek the color in the light of refined gold. The razor is tempered on sesame seeds, yet the eye does not desire it; once the son has taken hold of the realm, the king’s affairs are complete. A person who has recognized poison will not eat the remainder. When learning the Vedas, the Brahmin discards other activities; one should not turn the churning stick without compassion. When a king dies, he does not look at the legal codes; it is not right to remain on a mistaken path. There is no need for green vitriol when there is gold from the Jambu River; the lotus remains free from the defects of the mud. The lion cub has attained independence without an enemy; the buffalo, released from the yoke, goes wherever it pleases.
Gold that has entered the furnace is not Gulangma; the track where thorns have passed is not to be dug up. The man who makes a clamor does not desire life; look at the one who is satiated by the curd of wisdom. The healing cloth is bound too tightly by the wool of the drum. Teach the instructions to the wild boar that listens to sounds. For a stone man, there is no difference between insults and words of praise. There are no drops of water in a mirage. Birth and death were not created by the son of a barren woman. Streams of various colors and shapes are liberated into the ocean. In the sky, there is no center and no boundary. The vulture that sees two corpses soars in the air. The powerful lion loses his watch over his life. Alas! O madman, consider this! The eyes of the jackal are truly wondrous. In Malaya, sandalwood is burned as fire. The lion shall not be parted from the snow. The King of Physicians is accompanied by the scriptures of healing. The abbot’s well-spoken words are not abandoned by the monk. When a hero enters the battlefield, he does not remove his armor. Drowa Sangmo holds her kin individually. The man in the center of the charnel ground is without distraction. The man of the charnel ground has abandoned the ordinary body and speech. For the man of the charnel ground, food and clothing arise effortlessly. For the man of the charnel ground, there is no slander or legal dispute. For the man of the charnel ground, his purpose is accomplished before him. The elephant’s path is not through the midst of the shingle. One should not attempt to measure the enemy of fire and water. The farmer applies the appropriate fertilizer according to the color of the soil. When one is supported by the king’s feet, one is bound by his command. Alas! Do not go to a place where there is a tiger’s den. When one receives the king’s seal of command, one is free from enemies.
When there is no illness, one dwells in happiness. There is no lack of appetite for food, whether good or bad. One sees the son who died from the torment of grief. The activities of the sages who have abandoned falsehood are accomplished. A sword was fastened to the wrestler, and the king was pleased. The forest bee smells the scent of bezoar. The magita plant possesses the power of both cooling and warming. By drinking the medicinal compound, the physical complexion becomes healthy. With sesame wine in the stomach, the awareness is carried by vigor. The wish-fulfilling jewel is beautiful for all to behold. Who would be able to challenge the king? The mother and sister have affection for the only son. When invited, who would not come to the guest? When he comes into one's lap, the mother is not happy with the son. In the state of a clear sky, there is no stain. Without effort, the essential point is met—the alchemy of the Vedas. Look at the body shape of a pig, though an elephant is not seen. It is the way of a king not to engage in base activities. The seed of the beda fruit is realized in its time. There is no one who can paint the eye-spots on a peacock's tail. The vajra in the hand of the Lord of Sages cannot be moved. Look, O, at the utpala flower pulled from the mud! When the wealthy Kapila sleeps in happiness, his own speech is like gold from the Jambu River. The nature of ice is the essence of water. A frog’s fur coat is free from being new or old. Due to the condition of the mud, the lotus’s color is vibrant. When tamed by skillful means, at that time, the enemy becomes a friend. There is no difference in the form of the queen and the sugar. Water itself is the ocean, and the nature of the ocean is water. The person seized by the medicinal plant is on the mountain slope. The great and medium waves dissolve into the expanse of the river.
The light of a lamp purifies the darkness; the sun is like a lamp to the owl. Whose lineage is that son of a prostitute? The jackals of the charnel ground have no attachment to their nest. The speech of one possessed by demons is manifold; the nature of a child does not remain constant. The wild animals of the forest have abandoned partiality for forest fruits. Who bestowed the power of divine, precious jewels? From where did the precious gem first come? The wish-fulfilling gem has never failed to grant whatever is desired. Even if one speaks of the value of the supreme jewel, alas! The owner of the jewel is free from the suffering of poverty.
This concludes "The Secret Vajra Song of the Pith Instructions on Mahāmudrā," spoken from the lips of the lord of yogins, the glorious Saraha. It was translated, edited, and finalized by the Indian abbot Kamalaśīla and the Tibetan monk-translator Zhama Tönpa Senge Gyalpo.
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.