The State of Ling generally refers to the ancient Tibetan-inhabited areas. In the light of its structural order we selected the high spot of this epic to entertain readers at home and abroad. We hope our readers, through reading King Gesar, will get to know and love both this great epic and the Tibetan culture.
Gyanpian Gyamco
Wu Wei
February 2011
Principal Characters
Gesar was the son of a deity in Heaven, named Tuipa Garwa which means “pleasing to the ear”. In the temporal world Gesar became the king of the State of Ling and was honored as the “Lion King of the World Gesar Lhopo Zhatui”. In his childhood, he was called Choro. His father was Senglong and his mother was Gormo, the daughter of the Dragon King.
Rongcha Chageng was Gesar’s uncle, a major leader of the Ling Tribe and one of the leading heroes in the State of Ling.
Senglong was Gesar’s father and one of the leaders in the Ling Tribe.
Meto Natse was Gesar’s mother, the third daughter of the Dragon King. In the war between the State of Gar and the State of Ling she was captured by Ling troops. Later, she married Senglon and gave birth to Gesar and was called Gormo. After Gesar was recognized as the king of the State of Ling, Gormo became the national mother of the State of Ling.
Chona Rinchin was Gesar’s grandfather, king of the Dragon family and one of Gesar’s great Buddhist warriors.
Norman Garmo was Gesar’aunt in Heaven and a Buddhist guardian who often gave Gesar predictions and advice.
Chatsa Shigar was Gesar’s half brother, the eldest son of Senglong, the nephew of the old chief Rongcha Chageng and a great hero of the State of Ling. He was killed by Tsinpa Merotse by trickery in the War Between the State of Hor and the State of Ling.
Chashang Dainma Chamcha was well-known as a skillful archer, a famous warrior and a loyal royal minister of the State of Ling.
Sengcham Cholmo was the first queen of Gesar and the daughter of Toinpa Gyaincain of the Chalho Tribe of the State of Ling.
Chalho Toinpa Gyaincain was the chief of the Chalho Tribe of the State of Ling and the father of Sengcham Cholmo.
Gyaingar Pebo was Gesar’s mythical horse who could fly, speak to people and distinguish good from evil.
Nyiboin Daya was one of the four princes of the Ling Tribe. He was the chief of the Tribe ruled by the eldest prince family, chancellor of the Upper Ling and commander of 900 elite troops under Gesar.
Ngada Namo, called the “northern female demon”, was the younger sister of the Black Demon King Nortsam of the demon state of Yarkang in the north. After Gesar conquered her, she married him and became a heroine of the Ling army.
Chin’en was once a shepherd in the Rong State. After he was captured by King Nortsam of the demon state in the north he became one of the state’s ministers and was called the “five-headed demon”. Afterwards he was conquered by Gesar, he became an outstanding minister of the State of Ling.
Tsinpa Merotse was originally the interior minister of King Bacham of the State of Hor. When the State of Ling defeated the State of Hor, he surrendered. He joined the army of the State of Ling and became a famous warrior under Gesar.
Mesa Poingyi, the concubine of Gesar, was once kidnapped by the Black Demon King Nortsam. Gesar rescued her after she had been married to him for nine years.
Zhalha was the son of Chatsa, who was a great hero of the State of Ling, and commander of the army of the State of Ling. When Gesar returned to Heaven, Prince Zhalha succeeded him to the throne of the State of Ling.
Sengta Mogyain, who came from the second prince family of the Ling Tribe, was a general under Gesar. He distinguished himself many times in battle.
Yulha Tochu was the son of King Sadain of the Cham State in the west. He was a mighty person with supernatural power that enabled him to contact the Gods. Later, he subdued Gesar and became the king of the Cham State. Following Gesar, he made contributions for the unification of the State of Ling.
Yutri was another son of King Sadain of the Cham State in the west, the younger brother of Yulha Tochu. After the State of Ling conquered the Cham State, Yutri became a general for Gesar.
Darong Zhaotoin was Gesar’s treacherous uncle and the head of the Darong Tribe of the State of Ling. He was well known for his wizardry.