The lord meditator, the chief son of Tsültrim Nyingpo called Shang Rinpoche was born in Tsawatru of Kyisho. At birth, he was named Tarma Trak. Seeing the inherent faults of saṃsāra, he became a monk, and when he was fully ordained as a bhikṣu, he was given the name Tsöndrü Trakpa. Through studying with his four true gurus, glorious Galo, Yerpawa of Mai, Vairopa of Ngülchu, and Gomtsül, he attained perfect ripening and freeing.
When Tibet was without government and its subjects were divided, Guru Shang established law and order in the mountains and plains. He built a temple in Kungthang. Those who did not submit to his law, he subdued with a magical army. At that time, the leader Tarma Shonu and others on the battlefield saw the face of the yidam deity and the realization of mahamuclra was born in many of them. As Guru Shang was victorious in battle, he composed this vajra song:
O little blue pigeon,
Are you going east?
If you say you are going east,
Take a message to Vajrasattva in the east.
Tell him, “Guru Shang has won the battle.
The teachings of the Buddha have been spread.
The saṅgha has attained the summit.
Sentient beings have peace and happiness.”
Are you going south?
If you say you are going south,
Take a message to Ratnasambhava in the south.
Tell him, “Guru Shang has won the battle.
The teachings of the Buddha have been spread.
The saṅgha has attained the summit.
Sentient beings have peace and happiness.”
Are you going west?
If you say you are going west,
Take a message to Amitābha in the west.
Tell him, “Guru Shang has won the battle.
The teachings of the Buddha have been spread.
The saṅgha has attained the summit.
Sentient beings have peace and happiness.”
Are you going north?
If you say you are going north,
Take a message to Amoghasiddhi in the north.
Tell him, “Guru Shang has won the battle.
The teachings of the Buddha have been spread.
The saṅgha has attained the summit.
Sentient beings have peace and happiness.”
Are you going to the center?
If you say you are going to the center,
Take a message to Vairocana in the center.
Tell him, “Guru Shang has won the battle.
The teachings of the Buddha have been spread.
The saṅgha has attained the summit.
Sentient beings have peace and happiness.”
Thus, he sang.