Kublai Khan - Poetry

Poetry

Kublai was well versed in Chinese poetry but most of his works have not survived. Only one Chinese poem written by him is included in the Selection of Yuan Poetry (元诗选). It is titled 'Inspiration recorded while enjoying the ascent to Spring Mountain'. It was translated into Mongolian by the Inner Mongolian scholar B.Buyan in the same style as classical Mongolian poetry and transcribed into Cyrillic by Ya.Ganbaatar. It is said that once in spring Kublai Khan went to worship at a Buddhist temple at the Yiheyuan Garden in western Dadu (Beijing) and on his way back ascended the Wanshou Shan (万寿山 - Longevity Hill, Tumen Nast Uul in Mongolian) where he was filled with inspiration and wrote this poem.

Inspiration recorded while enjoying the ascent to Spring Mountain (陟玩春山纪兴)

时膺韶景陟兰峰 Shí yīng sháo jǐng zhì lán fēng; Season Receive Beautiful Scenery Ascend Orchid Peak;

不惮跻攀谒粹容 Bù dàn jī pān yè cuì róng; Not Fear Rise Climb Visit Pure Countenance;

花色映霞祥彩混 Huā sè yìng xiá xiáng cǎi hùn; Flower Color Project Red-cloud Auspicious Hue Mingle;

垆烟拂雾瑞光重 Lú yān fú wù ruì guāng chóng; Earthy Smoke Brush-off Misty Propitious Light Layer;

雨霑琼干岩边竹 Yǔ zhān qióng gàn yán biān zhú; Rain Moisten Jade Trunk Rock Edge Bamboo;

风袭琴声岭际松 Fēng xí qín shēng lǐng jì sōng; Wind Beat Zither Sound Mountain-range Interval Cedar;

净刹玉毫瞻礼罢 Jìng chà yù háo zhān lǐ bà; Clean Buddhist-temple Jade Hair See Ceremony Finish; ('jade hair' means Urna)

回程仙驾驭苍龙 Huí chéng xiān jià yù cāng lóng; Return Journey Immortal Carriage Ride Blue Dragon;

This is translated:

Buyan's Mongolian translation:

Havar tsagiin nairamduu uliral dor anhilam uulnaa avirlaa

Halshralgui orgil deer garaad Altan Nüür dor baraalhchuhui

Hüis tsetseg tuyaaran myaralzaad ölziit öngö solongormui

Hülisiin utaa hüdenten tunaraad belegt gerel tsatsarmui

Hadan deerh has hulsnaa huriin dusal bömbölzönhön

Halil davaanii nogoon narsnaa serchigneh salhi högjimdmüi

Buddiin süm dor burhnii ömnö hüj örgön ayaarlaad

Butsah zamd süih teregnee höh luu hölöglöjühüi

English translation of Buyan's Mongolian version:

I ascended on Fragrant Hill in the friendly season of spring

Not discouraged I climbed to the peak and met the Golden Face

Flowers shone bright rays and auspicious colors gleamed like a rainbow

Incense smoke wafted like mist and a blessed light emanated

Raindrops were like bubbles on jade bamboos at the edge of the big rock

The blowing wind played a song among the green pines at the mountain pass

In front of the Buddha in the temple I conducted the incense ceremony

And on the way back I rode a Blue Dragon in the royal carriage.

Famous quotes containing the word poetry:

“Herein is the explanation of the analogies, which exist in all the arts. They are the re-appearance of one mind, working in many materials to many temporary ends. Raphael paints wisdom, Handel sings it, Phidias carves it, Shakspeare writes it, Wren builds it, Columbus sails it, Luther preaches it, Washington arms it, Watt mechanizes it. Painting was called “silent poetry,” and poetry “speaking painting.” The laws of each art are convertible into the laws of every other.”
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