King Gesar is an epic from Tibet based on Tibetan folk tales, legends, folk songs and proverbs. Representing the highest achievement of ancient Tibetan culture, it has been in circulation for centuries. It is an encyclopedia-like masterpiece reflecting the history of the ancient Tibetan society.
Compared with the world's Other famous heroic epics, King Gesar has two outstanding characteristics.
First, it has been passed down orally and musically from one generation to the next. Even today the epic is still widespread among the Tibetan people,especially among farmers and herdsmen. It is a "living" heroic epic and belongs to the Tibetan cultural heritage.
Second, it is the longest heroic epic in the world. It is an immense work,with more than 1 million verses, which would fill 120-plus volumes if written down.
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.

 

Preface
Chapter Ⅰ Demons Emerge and the Goddess of Mercy Comes to the Rescue
Chapter Ⅱ God Son Is Born in Ling and Zhaotoin Works AgainstChoru
Chapter Ⅲ Zhaotoin Casts Greedy Eyes on the Throne of the Ling Tribe/and Gormo Manages to Capture the Heavenly Horse
Chapter Ⅳ Choru Fulfills His Wishes with Flying Colors/and Zhaotoin Depresses with All Hopes Dashed to Pieces
Chapter Ⅴ An Expedition to Kill the Devil and to Save Gesar's Concubine
Chapter Ⅵ The State of Hot Kidnaps Cholmo by Force and King Bacham ls Killed as a Punishment
Chapter Ⅶ The State of Chain Fights for the Salt Lake and the Ling King Slays King Sadain of Chain
Chapter Ⅷ Ling Attacks Moinyo upon Hearing a Prophesy/and the Four Demons Surrender and the Ling Troops Return Triumphantly.
Chapter Ⅸ Ling Brings an Army to Chayo to Open the Treasure-House for the Benefit of the People
Chapter Ⅹ The Lion King and His Officials Burn a Demon's Body/and Gesar Selects a Wife for the Prince
Chapter Ⅺ Lion King Rescues Mother from Hell and Rongcha Chageng Passes Away
Chapter Ⅻ Prince Zhalha Ascends the Throne to Become the King of Ling and the Lion King Returns to Heaven Together with His Wives

 

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King Gesar is an epic from Tibet based on Tibetan folk tales, legends, folk songs and proverbs. Representing the highest achievement of ancient Tibetan culture, it has been in circulation for centuries. It is an encyclopedia-like masterpiece reflecting the history of the ancient Tibetan society.
Compared with the world's Other famous heroic epics, King Gesar has two outstanding characteristics.
First, it has been passed down orally and musically from one generation to the next. Even today the epic is still widespread among the Tibetan people,especially among farmers and herdsmen. It is a "living" heroic epic and belongs to the Tibetan cultural heritage.
Second, it is the longest heroic epic in the world. It is an immense work,with more than 1 million verses, which would fill 120-plus volumes if written down.
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.