Lion King Rescues Mother from Hell and Rongcha Chageng Passes Away
Gesar soon returned to Ling. He was warmly received by numerous heroes and common people all led by Prince Zhalha. However, Ngada Namo didn’t appear to welcome him. Gesar was very surprised by this and couldn’t help asking Zhalha why Ngada Namo didn’t come to welcome him back. Before Zhalha could reply, Rongcha Chageng called all the guests to a banquet for a huge celebration.
Immediately, a sumptuous banquet was ready. All the tables were loaded with alcohol, meat, cream and butter, snacks, honey and zanba (roasted highland barley flour).
Gesar enthusiastically showed all the heroes to their seats. Then he told everyone that by his efforts Prince Zhalha was successfully allied by marriage to Princess Ngaman of the State of Rong. Zhalha was very excited to hear this news and thanked Gesar for his efforts.
The heroes of the State of Ling presented their gifts to Zhalha in turn. Aunts and sisters-in-law offered white hada scarves and exotic turquoises to Ngaman. They wished her happiness for ever and good health. They also wished her and the prince a long and happy married life. For the occasion of the marriage of Prince Zhalha, the State of Ling held grand celebrations nationwide for 13 days.
Eventually, Gesar got the sad news that Ngada Namo had died. When Gesar went to Gyayo for three months, Ngada Namo fell ill. Later, Ngada Namo felt she was dying. She summoned the ministers to her and told them seriously what they should do after her death: “In the evil places, please hold up daggers and lances together as the enemies come. Please help out friends by sharing property and goods. Please cherish a common feeling of hatred for the enemy. Please share wealth, good times and sorrow together.”
Just as Ngada Namo stopped speaking, she passed away. After 49 days, her soul came to the entrance of the Shashan Mountains which was vital to her life after death. She was led to Yama by a ghost. Yama saw Ngada Namo was out of the ordinary and shortly he said:
“I have some questions for you. You are different from other women. The upper part of your face looks like a girl who has the capacity to keep a hundred other women under control. The lower part of your face seems to be a young man who can subdue a hundred men. What kind of soul of a deceased person are you? What is your name? How many Buddhist Masters did you worship when you were alive? How many times did you offer charity to the poor people? How many bridges did you build? And how many sutra streamers did you set up?”
Ngada Namo’s mind was in turmoil. She couldn’t help thinking that she had gone out to battles up and down the state and killed many people. How could she talk frankly with Yama? As a result, she made up a story to tell Yama.
“I am a simple Buddhist, and my name is Qu Cuo. When I was alive, I offered fine horses mounted with gold saddles to the Master. I built numerous bridges and set up countless sutra streamers. I am the reincarnation of Sky-Goer, the wife of the Southern Continent Lion King. Therefore, I should go to Paradise. Please let me pass, Yama.”
After Ngada Namo finished talking, a white child suddenly appeared on her right shoulder. The child saluted Yama and reported to him:
“Yama, you are full of tremendous power, and you are the Prince of Dharma who has the capacity to differentiate between good and evil. I am the deity who came together with this woman. She is Ngada Namo, a true heroine and Gesar’s wife. She has done many charitable deeds during her life. Yama, please receive her and guide her to Paradise.”
At that moment, a black child emerged on her left shoulder. He spoke to Yama:
“I am a demon. I came here together with Ngada Namo. I have all the exact details about her. She is the descendant of a legendary snake demon with nine heads who has great magic power. She began to kill people at the age of three. She has killed many people, including a Buddhist Master wearing a gold cap, influential officials, heroes of horse racing and some women with long hair. How could you let a woman like this be released from purgatory? Yama, you must not excuse her evil conduct.”
When he heard this, Yama thought that no matter what they said, he wanted to have a look for himself with his magic mirror.
The mirror had complete supernatural power. Everything anyone did in the world during their life could be seen in full detail. Yama weighed up the charitable deeds against the evils that Ngada Namo had done. Every time the evil actions were superior to the good deeds.
Ngada Namo was scared out of her wits.
Yama said:
“Ngada Namo died because she killed many people. It served her right. She should stay in a hell for 500 years where sinners undergo mutual slaughter and come back to life.
“This hell is called the Living Hell. She also accumulated resentment so she should live in a hell for nine years where she will suffer all kinds of hardships and torments.
“This is the Avici Hell. In addition, she was quite stingy, thus she ought to stay in a hell for another nine years where she will experience extreme torment.
“This hell is called the Animal Hell.”
Ngada Namo was then dragged out from the hall of Yama and was sent to the Living Hell. When Gesar returned from Gyayo, Ngada Namo had been in hell for three years and she had experienced countless unbearable pains.
In the eyes of Gesar, Ngada Namo was a heroine who showed great bravery and arrogance. He wondered whether she had gone to the Heavenly Palace after she died. Gesar was determined to go to the Heavenly Palace to have a look. However, Gesar couldn’t find Ngada Namo in the Heavenly Palace. Next Gesar went to a hell called Asura where people undertake to do good deeds. But she was nowhere to be found. Gesar then went to another two hells where evil was committed by people. These two hells were the Animal Path Hell and the Hungry Ghost Hell. However, he failed to find her anywhere. Finally, Gesar went for the pure hell. He unexpectedly found Ngada Namo there.