Other translations:

Why I Wander Around Unpredictably

I am the amazing mountain repa,
An incredible yogic guy am I,
In the three months of summer, I hit the snow mountains,
Where the clean wind blows the dullness clear away!

In the three months of autumn, I go begging for alms,
All the while, I practice equal taste,
And I get lots of tsampa, what a tasty treat,
It keeps my body strong and healthy!

In the three months of winter, I live and meditate
In the middle of the woods,
For when the cold wind blows, then the thick tall trees
Are my blanket that keeps me nice and warm!

The three months of springtime are when I like to stay
In the granite hills and the plains,
That keeps me from getting sick with wind, bile or phlegm,
It keeps those bad illnesses away.

And all year round, I'm in meditation
Undistracted, with diligence and joy,
This makes sure that when the body dies
Suffering will not arise.

The spy of non-distraction is always on the lookout,
Watching to see what thoughts arise,
That's the way to conquer the disturbing states of mind,
It's the way to defeat the poisons five.

Whatever food I get, I just make do with that,
That is the clearest sign,
Of the happiness that comes when wants and needs are few,
When there's little clinging to material things.

I exert myself continuously
In the practice of the Dharma,
That's the sign this yogi has great diligence,
That doing good things brings him great delight!


Under the guidance of Dechen Rangdrol, translated by Ari Goldfield, Tekchen Kyetsal, Tenerife, Spain, May 27, 2003. Tibetan page 439. Translation copyright 2012, Ari Goldfield.