Many disciples came to visit Milarepa. One day he suggested that they all take a walk to the top of the high mountain in front of Lashi. But the disciples said, "It will be too strenuous for you because of your age. We advise you not to go." The Jetsun replied, "I think I can manage it easily." Whereupon he sang:

          I bow down to all Gurus!

          Milarepa had hardly finished singing when he suddenly appeared on top of a cliff - his feet set firmly on the rock. Then ascended higher until he reached the top, sitting there comfortably for quite some time [clothed] in a rainbow-shroud. He then flew back to the cave and said to the disciples "I need someone to pour beer for me when I am up there." "But please tell us how do we get there and how we can serve you beer?" they asked. "If you want to reach the mountain peak", replied Milarepa, "you should practice like this":

                    To climb the mountain peak
                    To enjoy the view,
                    You should hold the Self-mind's light,
                    Tie [it] with a great 'Knot',
                    And catch it with a firm 'Hook'.
                    If you practice thus
                    You can climb the mountain peak
                    To enjoy the view.

                    Come, you gifted men and women,
                    Drink the beer of Experience!
                    Come 'inside' to enjoy the scene-  
  See it and enjoy it to the full!
                    The incapable remain outside;
                    Those who cannot drink pure
                    Beer may quaff small-beer.
                    He who cannot strive for Bodhi,
                    Should strive for superior birth.

          Rechungpa said, "I can practice the Dharma and aspire to drink the beer. But please show me how." The Jetsun replied, "The best way to drink the 'beer' is to follow the good advice of Marpa." Then he sang:

                    I bow down to the Translator Marpa
                    Who in primordial Reality
                    Abides, Master of the essential truths.
                    It is not easy to describe him.
                    Like the sky, he is bright and clean,
                    Omnipresent as the sun and moon;
                    He never discriminates between
                    'High' and 'low', like bushes in a swamp.
                    He is my Lord Buddha,
                    Sitting upon my head,
                    My glory and adornment.

                    In the Six Realms the chief
                    Actors are human beings
                    Who use their poorer crops to brew
                    Beer in the Autumn and the Spring.
                    But to brew for ourselves,
                    The Dharma's followers,
                    Build a fireplace with Three Grates, prepare
                    A cauldron of Sunyata, and then fill it
                    With the grain of the pure White Element
                    And the water of Compassion.
                    Then light the fire of Wisdom
                    And boil well the mash.

                    In the Central Plain where all is equal,
                    The flag of the Great Bliss is raised.
                    When the yeast of instruction has been added
                    [To the cauldron] one then may sleep at ease
                    On the bed of the Four Infinities.

                    The fermented barley of One-in-Many
                    Is taken out and put into a jar.
                    Strengthened by non-dual Wisdom-Skill,
                    The beer of the Five Prajnas is matured;
                    At the entrance of the Wish-fulfilling
                    House, the beer of pure nectar is purified.
                    The Pure Heruka causes it, by the
                    Heruka of Totality is it conditioned
                    And by the Lotus Heruka colored.
                    Its smell is the Heruka of Variety;
                    Its taste, of Vajra; and its touch, of Gaity.

                    I am a yogi who drinks beer, because
                    It illumines the Dharma Body,
                    Completes the Body of Sambhogha,
                    And gives form to all Nirmanakayas.
                    From Non-cessation's pulp
                    Only men with hardened heads
                    Can drink this nectar beer.

          Here is another parable:

                    From the brew of Dharma-Essence
                    Comes precious and stimulating beer;
                    To Gurus and Buddhas of the Three Perfections
                    It is a superb oblation!
                    Along the middle way of Skillful-Wisdom
                    The rules of Samaya are observed;
                    Thus the Mandala's deities are pleased.

                    With the brew and common and special instructions
                    [Mystical] sensations are obtained;
                    One thus fulfills one's wishes
                    And those of other men.

                    Whoever in the Cup of Six Adornments
                    Drinks the pure beer of the Whispered Lineage,
                    In him will the Great Bliss flame up.
                    Of this Bliss a single sip
                    Dispels all griefs and sorrows.
                    This is the beer a yogi drinks -
                    A special Dharma shared by few,  
                    An act most wonderful and splendid,
                    An act superb and marvelous.

          Hearing this song, the disciples all gained firm understandings.

          This is the story of Milarepa singing a drinking song while strolling with his disciples.

          From The One Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa, Copyright 1962 by the Oriental Studies Foundation, Library of Congress Catalog Card number: 62-8255.