Sanzang and his companions departed Chang’an, traveling tirelessly each day. The Tang monk was somewhat impatient to get going.
One predawn, he arose a trifle too early. The fact is that this was late autumn, when cocks crow rather early—at about the time of the fourth watch. Under frost and moonlight, they journeyed for some twenty or thirty miles, when they came upon a mountain range – the Twin Fork Ridge (Double-Fork Ridge). It soon became exceedingly difficult for them to find their way. As they had to poke around in the grass to look for a path, they began to worry that they might be heading in the wrong direction.
Tumbled into the den of tigers
In that very anxious moment, they suddenly tripped; all three of them as well as the horse tumbled into a deep pit. Tripitaka was terrified; his companions all shook with fear. They were still trembling when they heard voices shouting, “Seize them! Seize them!”
A violent wind swept by, and a mob of fifty or sixty ogres appeared, who seized Tripitaka with his companions and hauled them out of the pit. Quivering and shivering, the Master of the Law stole a glance around and saw a ferocious Monster King(a tiger-headed overlord) seated up on high.
Another two monsters swaggered in, and the Monster King hurried out to receive them. The Bear Mountain Lord said, “You are in top form, General Yin. Congratulations! Congratulations!” “General Yin looks better than ever,” said the Steer Hermit. “It’s marvelous! It’s marvelous!” “And you two gentlemen, how have you been these days?” asked the Monster King. “Just maintaining my idleness,” said the Mountain Lord. “Just keeping up with the times,” said the Hermit. After these exchanges, they sat down to chat some more.
“How did these three get here?” asked the swarthy fellow. “They practically presented themselves at the door!” said the Monster King. “Can they be used for the guests’ dinner?” asked the Hermit, laughing. “By all means!” said the Monster King. “Let’s not finish them all up,” said the Mountain Lord. “We’ll dine on two of them and leave one over.” The Monster King agreed.
He called his subordinates at once to have the attendants eviscerated and their carcasses carved up; their heads, hearts, and livers were to be presented to the guests, the limbs to the host, and the remaining portions of flesh and bone to the rest of the ogres. The moment the order was given, the ogres pounced on the attendants like tigers preying on sheep: munching and crunching, they devoured them in no time at all.
Sanzang fainted in terror. And this was his first bitter ordeal since his departure from Chang’an.
The Rescue of Tripitaka
At dawn, he awoke to an old man freeing his bonds. “This is Twin Fork Ridge,” the elder said. “The demons you met were the General Yin (a tiger spirit), the Mountain Lord (a black bear spirit), and the Steer Hermit (a wild bull spirit). The various ogres are all demons of mountains and trees, spirits of strange beasts and wolves. Follow me—I’ll guide you.”
Grateful, Sanzang followed the old man out of the pit. As he bowed to thank him, the elder transformed into a gust of wind, mounting a white crane skyward. A scroll fluttered down:
“I am Venus of the West, sent to save your life.
Divine aid awaits ahead—persevere, and cease your strife.”
Sanzang kowtowed toward heaven, then resumed his journey—destiny’s gears now turning toward his fabled disciples.
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