1916.] A Tibetan Funeral Prayer. 151 



19. 



gradually 



Mahamudra's light refulgent fills the chamber intellectual; 

 Shines that light in its true nature, supersensuous, transcendent. 



Then descend, etc., etc. 



20. 



Then approach the Lamas pious, sanctifying rites performing. 

 Food and drink from friends and kinsmen then receives the 



body lifeless, 

 And the name it bore is shouted as their breasts with fists 



belabour. 



Then descend, etc., etc. 



21. 



Next the limbs are harshly doubled, bound with well-spun 



cordage hempen. 

 Loving friends "Good-bye!" now utter, as their bitter tears 



are falling. 

 From its customed bed is taken corpse to final place of resting. 



Then descend, etc., etc. 



22. 



Either then the form is carried to the top of rock or mountain, 

 Chopped and quartered, flung to vulture, fox or dog or wolf oi 



jackal, 

 Welcome banquet thus providing bird and beast that live or 



carrion. 



Then descend, etc., etc. 



23. 



Or adown the stream' tis floated, down some torrent's rushing 



waters, 



Urine, blood and pus commingling with the element surround- 

 ing; 



Flesh and fat there gnaw and nibbled by the greedy fish and 



otters. 



Then descend, etc., etc. 



24. 



Or the body is consumed, placed upon the pyre funeral, 

 Changed into a heap of ashes, flesh and skin and bone entirely, 

 And they sniff the smell of burning,— the Gandharvas and 



Apsaras. 



Then descend, etc., etc. 



