08 Marpa’s Son, Tarma Dode

Marpa’s son Tarma Dode, in strict retreat, is lured to a fair by Māra’s illusions. Despite his mother’s seven vows and Milarepa’s warnings, he rides a horse, falls, and suffers a fatal head injury. Marpa and Dagmema each sing songs clarifying the ejection of consciousness. Tarma Dode transfers his consciousness into a pigeon, then into a dead brahmin boy in India, becoming Tiphupa. Marpa clears Dagmema’s grief with a song, and the Kagyu lineage flourishes through his disciples.