At the feet of Lord Marpa from Lhodrak, I bow,
Please bless sentient beings to be free from pain.

You've now a deer's body and a head of thorns,
Thorny-headed deer, listen to Mila's song:

Now you run away from things on the outside,
But you never find freedom from ignorance inside.
You cannot abandon your body or mind,
You cannot get rid of the whole outer world.
So it's time to abandon your own ignorance,
It's time to abandon your own confused thoughts.

The truth of your karma is too fast for you,
How could your illusory form escape that?
If you're going to run away, let your mind run,
Let your mind run straight to enlightenment.

Any other means you try to use to escape
Are only confusion, so just let them go.
Let go of confusion and sit down right here,
See how death brings you such terrible fear.

You look at the far mountain with the hope of escape,
You look at the near mountain with the fear you'll be seized,
So you wander samsara filled with hope and fear.
Naropa's six dharmas, I'll explain to you.
I'll teach you to meditate on the Great Seal—
I'll teach you the practice of Mahamudra!

Sung to a deer by Milarepa. Tibetan page 431. Under the guidance of Dechen Rangdrol, translated by Ari Goldfield, Tekchen Kyetsal, Tenerife, Spain, May 27, 2003. Translation copyright 2012, Ari Goldfield.