28, Two Tibetan charms obtained by Lieutenant-Colonel 
Stuart H. Godfrey in Ladakh, one for chasing 
away evil spirits and the other for 
compelling fortune. 
By MawAmanopdpuyAya Satis Cuanpra Vipyasuusana, M.A., Pa.D. 
A few weeks ago Lieut.-Colonel 8. H. Godfrey, Political 
Agent, Dir, Swat and Chitral, sent to the Indian Museum two 
Tibetan charms obtained by him in Ladakh: they were put into my 
hands by Mr, I. H. Burkill for examination. One of the inserip- 
tions appears to be a charm against demons called ‘‘ Srun-de”’; the 
other, called “ Lun-ta,” is used both as a flag and for personal wear. 
The first oe contains the picture of a devil who is 
being coerced, She is shackled at the feet and arms by chains, 
and has an iron plate over the bosom. The inscription is in 
Tibetan character, but the language used is a corrupt form of 
Sanskrit with an occasional admixture of Tibetan expressions. 
An English translation of the inscription is given below :— 
TransLation oF Inscription I. (Fig. 1.) 
[On the top]—Let there be refuge in the Saviour Mother. 
| At the ears ]—Noise of thunder 
[On the bosom }-—O Governess of ‘the three worlds, come hither 
to grant us boons; thou art coerced, fulfil our desires. 
Fettered ! 
[Between the legs]|—Thunder! Thunder! 
[Below the feet]|—Protect! Protect! Hail! 
(On the ene ne en all times let black spirits and red 
[On the left per ae the region of the living save us from 
injury by demons. Fettered! 
According to Colonel Godfrey the charm is used to deliver a 
man age the enmity of another and from evil spirits ax aging 
madne He reports that the writing in the centre, locally 
intelligible, is believed to have come from China. 
ond inscription contains the picture of a Lun-ta, that 
ni an fierial horse of fortune. It is also called a gem : 
e, for it carries a jewel called nor-bu on its back. Its figure is 
prio ‘hoisted upon a tall post by the side of a dwelling-house. — It 
corresponds exactly to the Long-Horse or Horse-Dragon of China, 
which is there a symbol of grandeur. In In dia and Burmah there 
is sgn, — Is an on counterpart of the Lua-ta. 
ription is in Tibetan character and the language used 
is Tibetan, we the acta of a few Sanskrit words at the 
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