Atai Ulaan, in Buryat mythology, is described as the leader of 44 Tenger (sky-gods) of the eastern skies, he is the leader of an army consisting of 6,666 soldiers. His brother, Han Hormasta, is the leader of the 55 Tenger of the western skies. Known as 'Galta Ulaan', he is a common figure in

Mongol mythology The Mongol mythology is the traditional religion of the Mongols. Creation There are many Mongol creation myths. In one, the creation of the world is attributed to a Buddhist deity Lama. At the start of time, there was only water, and from the ...

and the husband of Mayas Hara Toodei. Tibetan emperor and central character in the

Epic of King Gesar The Epic of King Gesar (), also spelled Kesar () or Geser (especially in Mongolian contexts), is an epic from Tibet and Central Asia. It originally developed between 200 or 300 BCE and about 600 CE. Folk balladeers continued to pass on the sto ...

, Abai Geser, opposed him throughout most of the Buryat story. Abai Geser eventually married Atai Ulaan's daughter, Gaguurai Nogoon. Atai Ulaan had three sons -- Sagaan Hasar Buhe, Shara Hasar Buhe, and Hara Hasar Buhe -- each of them were supposedly wrestled and defeated by their father's brother's eldest son so that he could marry the Buryat, god of winter and member of the Tenger of the western sky, Segeen Sebdeg.

Powers

Atai Ulaan's power is shown to exceed his martial prowess and his militant power is reported to have "made thirteen magics dance on his palm and twenty-three magics dance on his fingers".Sarangerel 2001, p. 194 Atai Ulaan's nephew, Han Hormasta's son "Bukhe Beligte, threw a great black spear that smashed the big toe of Atai Ulaan’s right foot. Malevolent disease spirits came out of the remains of Atai Ulaan and tormented humans".Sarangerel 2001, p. 195 This passage suggests that the tale of Atai Ulaan's impalement may have been the mythological origin of the ailment

gout Gout ( ) is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by recurrent attacks of pain in a red, tender, hot, and Joint effusion, swollen joint, caused by the deposition of needle-like crystals of uric acid known as monosodium urate crysta ...

, which most commonly afflicts the big toe. The disease-spirits that were released are named Gal Nurma Khan, Sherem Minata Khan, cf. the "Sherem" in the '' Book of Jacob'', chapter 7 -- Yaʻqōb (Jacob) wrestled with the angel in like manner as did

Zasa Mergen Baatar Zasa Mergen Baatar, in Buryat mythology, is the tornado-god riding a brown hawk-horse. Han Hormasta's eldest son Zasa Mergen Baatar married Sesegen Nogoon the daughter of Segeen Sebdeg. He obtained her as his bride by successfully wrestling (an ...

, Abarga Sesen, Loir Hara Lobsogoldoi, and the "Yonhoboi sisters of Loir Hara Lobsogoldoi". This sparks the conflict with Abai Geser, who descends upon earth to defeat the hordes of demons and foul spirits, unleashed from Atai Ulaan's toe in the Epic of King Gesar.

Notes

Bibliography

* Sarangerel (Julie Ann Stewart): ''Chosen by the Spirits: Following Your Shamanic Calling''. Destiny Books, Rochester (VT), 2001.{{ISBN, 978-0892818617 Tngri Sky and weather gods Mongolian deities