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17/12/2018

Rahula and the Meeting of Nine Evils

Fig: Rahula (PC: Tibetan Spirit)
Many aeons ago (longer than the age taken to wear a mountain by brushing with eagle’s wing), Drangsong (Rishi) Zamita and his consort Trulmo Poding had a son named Lalar Chuzhi who took monastic vows and dogged an ascetic life in the woods of Shing Laksha until Prajna Kulu, the maid of King Ratna Siddha caught a glimpse of him. The son of great sage was at that time invited in the palace as the royal priest by the king. From then on Prajna Kulu became the fourth crowned head as recognition from the king. But the green-eyed ministers falsely accused Lalar Chuzhi of having affair with Queen Prajna Kulu, and the king had him burned alive in the mountain of sandalwoods. Before he had his last breathe, he cursed to hit back the king and ministers in seven days by reawakening as a monster. He also made an aspiration statement that the four queens shall labor under his order to tame the wrongdoers during the degenerating Kalpa. Seeing the insanity of the king, the four queens could not stop throwing themselves into the pyre of sandalwoods.

In accordance to ‘The Unprecedented Explanation of a Mere Portion of the Liberation Stories of the Ocean of Oath-Bound Dharma Protectors’, the collected works of the 5th Lelung Zhepai Dorje’s (1697-1740), Lalar Chuzhi was reborn at the base of gigantic Mt Sumeru as a horrifying son called Khyab’jug Chenpo (Rahula) to Sinpo (male cannibal earth spirit) Raksha Lokgi Trengwa and Lumo (serpent spirit) Belgo Trakmikma. He was born with nine heads, nine hearts, four arms, a frog body with wide open mouth at the belly, and a serpent tail. He was born so giant that when he stands the deepest ocean reach only up to his knees. Due to karmic connection, the four queens of King Ratna Siddha were reborn as sisters of Rahula; Droksin Chusingyi Dongchen (crocodile faced rakshi), Tak-Sinzorwe Dongchen (tiger faced rakshi), Kongsin Ba Langi Dongchen (cow faced rakshi), and Bamsin Drekyi Dongchen (bear faced rakshi). The settling of scores with King Ratna Siddha and ministers by Rahula is not the subject matter of this article; rather it would give weight to Rahula and the origins of Ngyenpa Guzom.

As per Baidurya Karpo, the 17th century astrological writing of 6th Desi Sangye Gyatso (regent of 5th Dalai Lama), Rahula is known by the name Nyima Nagchen. He was born as a union of non-dual mind of Yadud Dorje Lokthreng and Sasin Barma. Nyima Nagchen and his siblings took separate routes during their journey around Mt Sumeru. On 7th day of 11th month, he met his youngest sister Bamsin Drekyi Dongchen (bear faced rakshi) and they had an incestuous relationship without recognizing each other. As a consequence, the four elements (earth, water, fire, and air) of the universe were contaminated and disturbed making the day the most inauspicious one in the lunar datebook. The day was from then on called as ‘Ngyenpa Guzom’ (meeting of nine evils). According to the tradition, the term ‘nine’ signifies the sheer size of inauspiciousness rather than representing the figure itself. 

However, the secret tantra of ‘Zago Nyimatro’ (Ferocious Planet called Wrathful Sun) has not the same story to tell. Shinje Dope Gyelpo (Yama, the lord of desire) and Sinmo (female cannibal earth spirit) Lokcham Barma had a son called Zago Nyima (Rahula). He lived at the side of Yugandhara (Nyashingzin, one of the seven golden mountains surrounding Mt. Sumeru) and Goddess Remati (Queen of desire realm) to the northeast of Mt Sumeru. They were both drunk of lust for love and agreed to meet in the north of Mt Sumeru. But, Goddess Remati conspired to send Yakshi (Nature spirit) called Phaknadong (pig snout), the daughter of Phakpa Dza (planet of pig) in disguise. At the time of departure, Phaknadong revealed her true ugly face and Zago Nyima was angry for the by mistake sexual intercourse. He called the assembly of eight classes of gods and demons (Mara, Mamo, Naga, Ging, Rahula, Tsen, Raksha, and Yaksha) for aiding him to put an end to the Goddess Remati. The malicious spirits meet every twelve months on the same time i.e. on 7th day of 11th month, and destroy the harvests and life force of the all God's creatures, and the day of such get-together is known as Ngyenpa Guzom (Meeting of nine evils).

In this day and age, no such harm may befall during Ngyenpa Guzom for the reason that Rahula was converted to an oath bound dharma protector after having been subdued by Heruka and Maha Guru. Nevertheless, the day was inauspicious one from the time when the elements of the universe were disturbed. However, the say that no good action shall bear fruit of merits is a myth; any conducts shall be rewarded based on its drive. The day may only barricade the practice not the result, it only cautions the initiation of significant assignments. For example, if one begins meditation on the said day, he or she may go through the troubles like ill health or laziness, and cannot fruitfully reach to closing stage of meditation. On the other hand, he or she will be deposited with good merits for the meditation done on the very same day. So, one is advised not to make important decisions of our life which have long term impact like start of husbandry, marriage, construction of house, beginning of meditation, inaugural ceremonies and other celebrations. The actions of bigheartedness, praying, saving lives, etc. can still be practiced during Ngyenpa Guzom. You are requested to break the myth and continue the thirty seven ways of Bodhisattva on Ngyenpa Guzom.