MYSTICAL POEM.

Relating to the worship of the Great Foutsa or Buddh. From the Tibetian.

Should I Foutsa’s force and glory, Earth’s protector, all unfold, Through more years would last my story Than has Ganges sands of gold. Him the fitting reverence showing For a minute’s period e’en, Bringeth blessing overflowing Unto heaven and man, I ween. If from race of man descended, Or from that of dragon-sprite, When thy prior course {13} is ended, Thou in evil paths shouldst light,— If Great Foutsa ever, ever Thou but seek with mind sincere, Thou the mists of sin shalt sever, All shall lie before thee clear. Whosoe’er his parents losing From his early infancy, Cannot guess with all his musing, Where their place of birth might be; He who sister dear nor brother, Since the sun upon him shone, And of kindred all the other Shoots and branches ne’er has known— If of Foutsa Grand the figure He shall shape and colour o’er, Gaze upon it rapt and eager, And with fitting rites adore, And through twenty days shall utter The dread name with reverend fear, Foutsa huge of form shall flutter Round about him and appear, And to him the spot discover, Birth-place of his flesh and bone {14}; And though evils whelm them over, For his sake release them soon; If that man unchang’d still keeping From back-sliding shall refrain, He, by Foutsa touch’d when sleeping, Shall Biwangarit’s title gain; If to Bouddi’s elevation, He would win, and from the three Confines dark of tribulation Soar to light and liberty— When a heart with kindness glowing He within him shall descry, To Grand Foutsa’s image going, Let him gaze attentively: Soon his every wish acquiring He shall triumph glad and fain, And the shades of sin retiring Never more his soul restrain. Whosoever bent on speeding To that distant shore, the home Of the wise, shall take to reading The all-wondrous Soudra tome; If that study deep beginning, No fit preparation made, Scanty shall he find his winning, Straight forgetting what he’s read: Whilst he in the dark subjection Shall of shadowing sin remain, Soudra’s page of full perfection How shall he in mind retain? Unto him the earth who blesses, Unto Foutsa, therefore he Drink and incense, food and dresses Should up-offer plenteously; And the fountain’s limpid liquor Pour Grand Foutsa’s face before, Drain himself a cooling beaker When a day and night are o’er; Tune his heart to high devotion: The five evil things eschew, Lust and flesh and vinous potion, And the words which are not true; Living thing abstain from killing For full twenty days and one, And meanwhile with accents thrilling Mighty Foutsa call upon— Then of infinite dimension Foutsa’s form in dreams he’ll see, And if he with fixt attention, When his sleep dissolv’d shall be, Shall but list to Soudra’s volume, He, through thousand ages flight, Shall of Soudra’s doctrine solemn; Ne’er forget one portion slight Yes, a soul so richly gifted Every child of man can find, If to mighty Foutsa lifted He but keep his heart and mind. He who goods and cattle lacking Is to fell disease a prey, In whose household bones are cracking, Cuts occurring every day, Who though slumbering never resteth From excess of bitter pain, And what he in prayer requesteth Never, never can obtain,— To earth-favouring Foutsa’s figure If but reverence he shall pay Dire misfortune’s dreadful rigour Flits for ever and for aye; In his sleep no ills distress him, And of nought he knows the want; Cattle, corn and riches bless him, Which the favouring demons grant. Those, who sombre forests threading, Those, who sailing ocean’s plain, Fain would wend their way undreading Evil poisons, beasts and men, Evil spirits, demons, javals {17}, And the force of evil winds, And each ill, which he who travels In his course so frequent finds— Let them only take their station ’Fore the form of Foutsa Grand, On it gaze with adoration, Sacrifice with reverent hand— And within the forest gloomy, On the mountain or the vale, On the ocean wide and roomy Them no evil shall assail. Thou, who every secret knowest, Foutsa, hear my heart-felt pray’r; Thou, who earth such favour showest, How shall I thy praise declare? Through ten million calaps {18} hoary If with cataract’s voice I roar, Yet of Foutsa’s force and glory I may not the sum out-pour Whosoe’er the title learning Of the earth’s protector high, Shall, whene’er his form discerning, On it gaze with steadfast eye, And at times shall offer dresses, Offer fitting drink and food. He ten thousand joys possesses, And escapes each trouble rude. Whoso into deed shall carry Of the law each precept, he Through all time alive shall tarry, And from birth and death be free. Foutsa, thou, who best of any Know’st the truth of what I’ve told, Spread the tale through regions, many As the Ganges’ sands of gold.