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Tibetan and Hindu Mythology
Two versions of Kangri Karchhak, the Tibetan Kailash Purana, have been published in Tibetan, one from Dira-Phuk Gompa and the other from Gengra. Also two abstracts of these are printed and they are called Soldep. Kangri Karchhak says that Kailash is in the centre of the whole universe towering right up into the sky like the handle of a mill-stone, that half-way on its side is Kalpa-Vriksha (wish-fulfilling tree), that it has square sides of gold and jewels, that the eastern face is crystal, the southern sapphire, the western ruby, and the northern gold. It also says that the Peak is clothed in fragrant flowers and herbs, and there are four footprints of the Buddha on the four sides, so that the Peak might not be taken away into the sky by the deities of that region and four chains so that the denizens of the lower regions might not take it down. The presiding deity of Kailash is Demchhok' (Dharmapala), also called Pavo. He puts on tiger skins and garlands of human skulls and holds damaru (Vibrant drum) in one hand and khatam (trident) in the other. Round Kailash are some more deities sitting in 990 rows with 500 in each. All these also put on tiger skins, etc. as Demchhok. The Shakti or the consort of Demchhok is Dorje-Phangmo or Vajra-Varahi, who is shown in Tibetan paintings and idols, clinging to him in inextricable embrace interlocked in sexual union. Adjacent to the Kailash Peak is situated on its western side a smaller snow-peak called Tijung, which is said to be the abode of Dorje-Phangmo. Besides these Lord Buddha and his 500 Bodhisattvas are said to be residing on the Kailash Peak. At the foot of the sacred Peak is seated Hanumanji, the monkeygod. There are also the abodes of several more deities around Kailash and Mansarovar. All these deities could be seen only by the pious few. Sounds of bells, cymbals and other musical instruments are heard on the top of Kailash.
There ae seven rows of trees round the Holy Mansarovar, and there is a big mansion in it, in which resides the king of Nags (serpent-gods) and the surface of the Lake is like an arc- with a huge tree in the middle. The fruits of the tree fall into the Lake with the sound jam; so the surrounding region of the earth is named Jambu-ling", the Jambu-dvipa of Hindu Puranas. Some of the fruits that fall into the Lake are eaten by the Nags and the rest become gold and sink down to the bottom.
At one place it is written that in the centre of the Jambu is the glorious mountain of Meru of Various colours; on the east it is white like a Brahmin; on the south it is yellow like a Vaisya;
1. Also pronounced 'Demchhok', a detailed account of which is given is Appendix II.
Ref. Vol. IV Ch. 24 B Pg. 1525-1526
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