The figure most commonly associated with Milarepa’s poetic legacy is the evocative “100,000 songs.” This number, however, is best understood not as a literal tally but as a traditional Tibetan expression signifying an immeasurable or vast quantity. The title of the principal collection, *The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa*, reflects this symbolic usage, suggesting the boundlessness of his spiritual outpouring rather than a precise count of compositions.

In practical terms, the extant collections of Milarepa’s songs are far more modest in number. Major compilations typically contain several dozen to a few hundred songs, with the principal anthology featuring approximately 40 to 50 songs in most translations. While additional verses and teachings are preserved in various Tibetan manuscripts and oral traditions, scholarly estimates indicate that only several hundred songs can be reliably attributed to Milarepa.

The enduring power of Milarepa’s songs lies not in their numerical abundance, but in the depth and breadth of their spiritual insight. Through these poetic teachings, Milarepa articulated the essence of his yogic realizations, offering guidance on the nature of mind, the path to liberation, and the lived experience of the Dharma. The songs continue to be treasured by practitioners and scholars alike, serving as both inspiration and instruction on the journey toward awakening.