The Sublime Monarch

Series: Dzogchen Texts Translation

The Sublime Monarch: King of the definitive concentration of the pure and perfect mind

Introduction

In the biography of the translator Bairotsana, it is said that Shri Singha taught him The Sublime Monarch in order to “show the greatness of teachings and instructions”. Along with The Pure and Perfect Mind, Light of the Three Dimensions of Existence ,The All-Cutting Perfection and the Compendium, this text is one of the “four [so-called] minor teachings” that Shri Singha taught Bairotsana immediately after the transmission of the “five ancient translations”.

This text needs to be transmitted by a qualified teacher in order to be studied and put into practice. However, if you have not yet received the transmission, you can simply read it.

“Although the reality of His transmission and His direct instructions can be summed up in a few words, He condenses an immense benefit And establishes the reality of the vehicles by revealing them all without exception.”

In the Indic language: “carasha arthā”

In Tibetan: “rje btsan dam pa”

In English: “The Sublime Monarch”

Homage to the transcendent Victor, the All-Excellent!

Deity of deities, ultimate yoga [1],

Supreme yoga of all yogas,

Noble of nobles,

Victorious vajra, ancestor of them all.

Sublime Monarch, All-Excellent,

Vajradhara, Victorious, refuge from terror;

If a break in the primordial bond appears,

There is no other protector of purity.

Relying on Him is a cloud of offerings.

As He remains in the flow [2], He is a means of accomplishment.

By nature without return, He is accomplishment,

He is therefore perfection, the seal of all reality.

Spontaneously accomplished perfection of great bliss,

Master of all,

Perfect manifest enlightenment,

In Him they generate supreme confidence.

Hero, He teaches the definitive transmission,

And reveals this great transmission to all.

Wise, He restores the primordial bound of the great plenitude

Through continuous transmission.

He is endowed with the appropriate means and universal compassion.

For beings who work for the benefit of others

He condenses all particularities [3],

When they commit themselves [to Him], He reveals it to them in an instant.

Although the reality of His transmission and His direct instructions can be summed up in a few words,

He condenses an immense benefit

And establishes the reality of the vehicles by revealing them all without exception.

Thus ends the Sublime Monarch, the king of the definitive meditative concentration of the pure and perfect mind.

[1] shin tu rnal ‘byor (atiyoga)  BACK

[2] Our reading here uses the version published by Dylan Esler in his book on Nupchen Sangye Yeshe’s commentaries. BACK

[3] of reality.