Drolma is a mysterious and powerful female yokai in Tibetan Buddhism and the folklore of the Tibetan region. She is often described as having the ability to control the weather, particularly with power over wind, rain, and lightning. Stories about Drolma are often intertwined with natural disasters, and when people face storms, droughts, or floods, her name is invoked as the source of these phenomena, representing her immense power.
Drolma is typically depicted as a beautiful yet mysterious woman, but her lower body is that of a serpent, symbolizing her deep connection to nature and the mystical forces. This combination of human and supernatural traits makes her both feared and revered. Drolma’s personality is complex, as she can be both a punisher and a protector. When people disrespect nature or offend the gods, she becomes enraged and brings about harsh weather as punishment. For instance, if villagers neglect their rituals or destroy the forests where she dwells, Drolma may unleash floods, storms, or droughts. However, she is not purely malevolent. If people show her respect and perform the proper rituals, she can also offer aid, protecting villages from natural disasters.
One well-known story tells of a shepherd who frequently brought his sheep to graze on a mountain where Drolma resided, unknowingly disturbing her. On one occasion, the sheep trampled Drolma’s sacred garden, angering her greatly. She called upon a fierce storm to punish the shepherd. Realizing his mistake, the shepherd built a small altar at the foot of the mountain and offered milk and food to seek Drolma’s forgiveness. Seeing the shepherd’s sincere repentance, Drolma calmed the storm, and the shepherd never faced such trouble again, always paying homage to her before grazing his sheep from then on.
In another tale, Drolma aids a village that had suffered from a severe drought. The villagers, having failed to honor her for years, realized that they had neglected to show gratitude for her protection. In response, they organized a grand ritual, offering cheese, tsampa, and butter lamps, and sincerely prayed for her help. That night, Drolma appeared in the village chief’s dream, assuring him that rain would come. The next day, clouds gathered, and rain nourished the dry land. From then on, the villagers held an annual festival to thank Drolma for her blessing.
Drolma’s stories reflect the delicate balance between humanity and nature. When people respect the forces of nature, Drolma serves as their protector, guiding them through difficult times. However, when humans are careless or show disregard for the natural world, Drolma demonstrates her wrath. These stories teach a profound respect for nature and remind people that exploiting it recklessly will invite destructive consequences. Ultimately, Drolma’s legend is not only a reverence for nature’s power but also a lesson in how humanity must live in harmony with the world around them.
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