降边嘉措、吴伟编译的藏族英雄史诗《格萨尔王传(英文版)》通过主人公格萨尔一生不畏强暴、不怕艰难险阻，以惊人的毅力和神奇的力量征战四方的英雄故事，热情讴歌了正义战胜邪恶、光明战胜黑暗的斗争。与世界上其他一些著名的英雄史诗相比，本书有两个显著特点：第一，它世代相传，至今在藏族群众、尤其是农牧民当中广泛流传，是一部活形态的英雄史诗。一部典型的非物质文化遗产。第二，它是世界上最长的一部英雄史诗，有120多部、100多万诗行、2000多万字。仅就篇幅来讲，堪称世界史诗之最。

King Gesar is an epic from Tibet based on Tibetan folktales, legends, folk songs and proverbs. Representing the highestachievement of ancient Tibetan culture, it has been in circulationfor centuries. It is an encyclopedia-like masterpiece reflecting thehistory of the ancient Tibetan society.

Compared with the world's other famous heroic epics, KingGesar has two outstanding characteristics.

First, it has been passed down orally and musically from onegeneration to the next. Even today the epic is still widespreadamong the Tibetan people, especially among farmers andherdsmen. It is a "living" heroic epic and belongs to the Tibetancultural heritage.

Second, it is the longest heroic epic in the world. It is animmense work, with more than 1 million verses, which would fill120-plus volumes if written down.

The State of Ling generally refers to the ancient Tibetan-inhabited areas. In the light of its structural order, we selected thehigh spot of this epic to entertain readers at home and abroad. Wehope our readers, through reading King Gesar, will get to knowand love both this great epic and the Tibetan culture.

Preface

Chapter I

Demons Emerge and the Goddess of Mercy Comes to the Rescue

Chapter II

God Son ls Born in Ling and Zhaotoin Works Against Choru 

Chapter III

Zhaotoin Casts Greedy Eyes on the Throne of the Ling Tribe,and Gormo Manases to Capture the Heavenly Horse

Chapter IV

Choru Fulfills His Wishes with Flying Colors,and Zhaotoin Depresses with All Hopes Dashed to Pieces 

Chapter V

An Expedition to Kill the Devil and to Save Gesar's Concubine 

Chapter VI

The State of Hor Kidnaps Cholmo by Force and King Bacham is Killed as a Punishment 

Chapter VII

The State of Chain Fights for the Salt Lake and the Ling King Slays King Sadain of Chain 

Chapter VIII

Ling Attacks Moinyo upon Hearing a Prophesy, and the Four Demons Surrender and the Ling Troops Return Triumphantly

Chapter IX

Ling Brings an Army to Chayo to Open the Treasure-House for the Benefit of the People

Chapter X

The Lion King and His Officials Burn a Demon's Body, and Gesar Selects a Wife for the Prince

Chapter XI

Lion King Rescues Mother from Hell and Rongcha Chageng Passes Away 

Chapter XII

Prince Zhalha Ascends the Throne to Become the King of Ling and the Lion King Returns to Heaven Together with His Wives 

Postscript