The Teachings of the Whispered Lineage

Marpa gave these teachings of the Whispered Lineage to Jetsun Milarepa as it was prophesied by Naropa.

Although Lord Marpa had many heart sons who were worthy disciples, he did not give them the oral instructions of the hearing lineage. In accord with the prophecy of Naropa, Marpa gave Jetsun Mila the abhiseka, oral instructions, and auxiliary teachings of the dakini hearing lineage of Cakrasamvara, and finally completed these with the further secret command-seal teachings. Moreover, having given him these many instructions, Marpa sang this song extolling the greatness of the hearing lineage:

Although everyone has a lineage,
If one has the dakinl's lineage, that is it.
Although everyone has forefathers,
If one has Tilopa, that is it.
Although everyone has a guru,
If one has Naropa, that is it.
Although everyone has oral instructions,
If one has the hearing lineage, that is it.
Although everyone attains enlightenment by meditating,
If one becomes enlightened without effort in meditation, that is it.

Thus Marpa sang.

Jetsun Mila said, "Our lineage and oral instructions are greatly renowned in all of India and Tibet. Therefore, precious guru, your fame in Tibet is no different than that of the lineage forefathers. Lord, because of your powerful longing and devotion for the gurus and your buddha activity, you yourself must also be renowned as a precious guru in India.

The guru replied, "There's no need to speak of the great fame of my lineage and oral instructions in India, and as you have said, I am renowned for my great devotion to the guru."
Because he could not help but proclaim these essential truths, Marpa sang this song:

Why shouldn't my lineage be famed,
Since we possess the dharma eye of the dakinls.
Why shouldn't the forefathers be famed,
Since Tilopa is no one other than the buddha.
Why shouldn't my guru be famed,
Since Naropa is a torch of dharma.
Why shouldn't I be famed,
Since I am the only heart son of Naropa.
Why shouldn't the oral instructions be famed,
Since this wish-fulfilling jewel of the hearing lineage
Is the special dharma that no one else possesses.

Thus Marpa sang.

Jetsun Mila received this hearing lineage, the special dharma that no one else possesses. Like a vase that is filled from another, Mila received Jetsun Marpa's oral instructions and so his mind was satisfied. As a result of all this, the sun of the Buddha's teachings rose in the snowy mountain ranges of Tibet. The dark ignorance of all sentient beings was dispelled as the light of wisdom illumined the day.