《真武灵应真君增上佑圣尊号册文》

On the twenty-fourth day of the third month in the second year of the Daguan era (1108), Emperor Zhao Ji respectfully bowed twice and presented this address:

The supreme Lord on High protects the people of the realm and commands the great divine general who guards the north. Manifesting transformations in a body of supreme perfection, he responds to the prayers of living beings and displays his numinous power. His De (Virtue/Power) is profound, and he bestows grace in secret, yet not every place under heaven necessarily knows of his favor.

Respectfully it is said: Zhenwu Lingying Zhenjun (True Warrior, the Perfected Lord of Numinous Response—the northern deity venerated in Daoism) corresponds to the celestial regions of the Xu and Wei lodges, and his form accords with the tortoise and the serpent. His Dao (the Way) and De are mysterious and difficult to put into words; his divine authority is efficacious and able to subdue all things. He roams the four quarters of heaven and earth, discerns all that is hidden and formless, blesses the good, punishes evil deeds, and shelters the people.

The state received the Mandate of Heaven and established its foundation one hundred and fifty years ago. Now that I have inherited the imperial throne, most of what I pray for is granted, and most of what I undertake succeeds. Humans and spirits are at peace, the four seas are tranquil, no demonic aberrations arise, and auspicious signs continually descend. This scene of great peace is truly the result of the state’s flourishing fortune. Were it not for the deity’s manifest protection and guidance, how could we have reached the situation we enjoy today?

An honorific title should therefore be added for Zhenwu Lingying Zhenjun, to express the court’s reverence and gratitude. I respectfully dispatch Yu Shen, Court Gentleman for Dispersed Service, Probationary Minister of Personnel and concurrent Reader-in-Waiting, and Compiler of the Veritable Records, to present the patent, augmenting the honorific to “Yousheng Zhenwu Lingying Zhenjun” (Perfected Lord of Numinous Response, the True Warrior Who Protects the Sage).

Charge of the registers of names in the celestial realm and authority over the affairs of the gods are precisely the duties the deity bears; guiding the people to offer reverent worship likewise depends on the court receiving him with solemn rites. The reverence of the heart has been expressed and carried out in complete ceremonial texts. I still hope that the Perfected Lord will clearly perceive this and look down with favor, bestowing blessing and good fortune.

Respectfully submitted.