8 SATIS CHANDRA VIDYABHUSANA ON 



god of the cycle of twelve years, god of Spar-kha, god of Sme-wa, deity of planets and 

 stars, sa-bdag, and mischievous hour spirit : May ye all look at this diagram of Srid- 

 pa-ho, do not be jealous. Om a-ka-ni-ni ka-ni-a byi-la mandale mandale svaha. All 

 things which have proceeded from a cause, their cause the Tathagata has explained; 

 their cessation too has been explained by the Great Ascetic. This Srid-pa-ho was 

 made for the benefit of the gods called respectively king of the year, minister of the 

 month, soldier of the day and weapon of the hour, god of the cycle of twelve years, 

 nagas of the year, month and day, and nagas of four quarters and eight corners. We 

 yogis dig the earth, roll stones, build palaces, celebrate the rituals of death and 

 marriage and throw sticks. In respect of these and other peaceful and terrible actions 

 do not ye hate, envy, sport or joke. Look at this diagram of the cycle of twelve 

 years, and may you turn to our happiness and well-being. Grant us your friendship 

 and co-operation. Om ki-li mi-li pretali om de-wa da-li svaha. Om lhah-lhah hud 

 sed-de du svaha. O eight great planets beginning with the sun and twenty-eight stars 

 beginning with Krttika and Rohini, listen. We yogis dig the earth, roll stones, throw 

 sticks and celebrate the rituals of death and marriage. In respect of these and other 

 peaceful and frightful actions do ye not hate, envy, sport or joke. Look at this 

 diagram of planets and stars and bear a heart of peace and enlightenment. Om 

 a-ka-ni-ni ka-ni-a mandale mandale svaha. O eighteen kings and ministers including 

 These the Sa-bdag king of the year, and Sa-bdag nagas of the month, and other nagas 

 such as Pi-lin, Zin-phuii, Ki-kah, Hal-khyi, Gnam-khyi and Zab-skar, do ye listen. 

 We yogis dig the earth, and do many other peaceful and frightful actions in respect 

 of which do ye not hate, envy, sport or joke. Look at this diagram of the kings and 

 ministers of Sa-bdag nagas and bear a heart of peace and enlightenment. Grant 

 us your friendship and co-operation. Om ki-la pa-ri-sa-a pa-ma. Hrurh, hrurh, 

 hrurh, ho ho ho tha tha tha naga sarva svaha. Om mar-me rah thob-thib gnam 

 stod hgrel svaha. 



The picture of Rus-sbal at the head of the Srid-pa-ho was brought from China 

 by the Chinese Koh-jo, wife of King Sroii tsan-gam-po of Tibet (about 639 a.d.). 

 The Lama Mi-hag-hdsin-har-ka-legs translated the legend of the Rus sbal from 

 Chinese into Tibetan (about the middle of the seventh century a.d.). Rgya-shah- 

 khrom, minister of King Sroh- tsan-gam-po, brought out his own translation of 

 the legend with its illustration. A few charms and magic circles were added by 

 Gum Padma-sambhava (about 747 ad.). Some astrological diagrams were taken from 

 Dus-hkhor-lo (Kala-cakra tantra). The Dalai Lama the fifth (Lha-pa-chen-po) effected 

 considerable development from Chinese and Tibetan sources. Finally the Lama Bla- 

 mkhyen-hag-dwah collected together the different parts of Srid-pa-ho and put them 

 into their present form with the help of the materials derived from the country of 

 Gru-sa. The picture in its present form is said to have been imported from the old 

 monastery of Smon-hgro-glih into Pho-doh via Spoh-thah of Lhasa. 



Postscript. 

 While the Srid-pa-ho was being printed by Lamas at the monastery of Pho-doh, 

 the cook of the monastery, named Don-mi-tshe-rih, presented them a pitcher. Also on 



