Eight Difficulties Song

A Spiritual Song on the Eight Supreme Difficulties

by Nāropa

Here is another spiritual song sung by Nāropa:

It is difficult to attain a human body with the leisures and endowments,
Which has completely avoided the eight unfree states.[1]

It is difficult to accomplish nirvāṇa,
In which one feels weary with all saṃsāra’s phenomena.

It is difficult to make a suitable vessel of the body,
Which has overcome all illness and torment.

One who has both the tantras and pith instructions—
It is difficult to find such a compassionate master.

It is difficult to find a disciple who roams through mountain retreats
And is faithful and tireless.

It is difficult to find a hermitage of auspicious abundance,
Where fear and doubt have been cast away.

It is difficult to find Dharma companions,
With a union of views and conduct in harmony.

Even when these seven are assembled,
It is difficult to cultivate dhyāna single-pointedly.

It is said that this spiritual song titled “The Eight Supreme Difficulties” was inscribed on the handle of Nāropa’s parasol.

Just as the army of a universal monarch
Brings all continents under its power,
When you discover the taste of co-emergence,
Saṃsāra is overwhelmed, transformed into great bliss.

Just as iron is transformed into gold
By the process of alchemy,
Through the power of precious empowerment,
Afflictions become non-dual wisdom.

This was sung by Nāropa while celebrating a gaṇachakra.
 

| Translated by Sean Ross, 2024.

Bibliography

Tibetan Edition

Mar pa chos kyi blo gros. "dka’ ba mchog brgyad kyi mgur." In dpal mnga' bdag sgra sgyur mar pa lo tsa ba chos kyi blo gros kyi gsung 'bum. [s.l.]: bod ljongs bod yig dpe rnying dpe skrun khang, 2014. Vol. 1 p. 76

Version: 1.0-20240423