KALYÖN ZURPO: A TRAGIC DEMISE OF ZHABDRUNG'S SECRET ALLY

Sometime in 1616, when Tsang Desi Phuntsho Namgyal conspired to kill young Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594–1651) over the incarnation disputes of the 4th Gyalwang Drukpa, Kuenkhen Pema Karpo—Kalyön Zurpo, one of the ministers of Tsang Desi yet a devout follower of Zhabdrung secretly leaked the ploy by sending a letter to Ralung forewarning Zhabdrung to flee Tibet. Subsequently, the Zhabdrung fled to Bhutan in 1616.

Later when Bhutan was on a full scale war with the aggressor Tibet on several fronts, one of the Tibetan platoons was led by Kalyön Zurpo, the same minister who had helped Zhabdrung escape Ralung. According to a former Trongsa Neten, Lam Jamtsho, His Holiness the 69th Je Khenpo Gedun Rinchen personally narrated to him that Kalyön Zurpo himself volunteered to lead the Tibetan soldiers only to defect from Tsang Desi and take side with the Zhabdrung.

However, before his intent and identity could be safely revealed to Zhabdrung's end, a war broke out abruptly and he was slain. Minutes before his last breath, the dying minister and commander, Zurpo, pleaded to the Bhutanese soldiers that the Zhabdrung be informed of him and disclosed his name as Kalyön Zurpo. 

As pleaded, when Zhabdrung was fetched with the news about Zurpo's tragic demise, Lam Zhabdrung broke down in melancholy. At that moment of conflict, Zhabdrung was residing at Jarogang in present day Athang Gewog. While the war at Nahi, Wangdue was the deciding factor for the Zhabdrung to call off his plan of fleeing to India, the tragic information about Zurpo's death aggrieved him deeply. 

Burdened by remorse, Zhabdrung himself presided over the funeral of the fallen hero near the battleground at Yuesagom, Nahi. Currently, the pilgrims could see Zhabdrung's rock throne under a cypress tree. It is believed that Zhabdrung's walking staff also grew into a tree. 

Yuesagom Lhakhang, behind the Zhabdrung's rock zhugthri and staff tree, was built by Lam Ngawang Chogyel (1465-1540), the brother of Lam Drukpa Kuenley. Currently, the Lhakhang is under major renovation. 

(Sources: Former Trongsa Neten, Lam Jamtsho. Former Geytsho Lopen Kuenga, Punakha. The Zhabdrung's Namthar by 68th Je Khenpo, Gedun Rinchen)