Leithak Leikharol

Meitei scriptures
Laihuis
Nongkalols


The Leithak Leikharol (Meitei: ꯂꯩꯊꯛ ꯂꯩꯈꯥꯔꯣꯜ, lit. Of Heaven and netherworld[1]), also spelt as the Leithak Leikhalol, is a Meitei language literary narrative work (puya), about the creation, genealogy of kings, moral teachings and Meitei mythology.[1][2] It mentions some Meitei goddesses including Leimarel Sidabi, Nongthang Leima and Panthoibi. Leimarel Sidabi is said to be the omniscient.[3]

Leithak Leikharon literally means "an account of the heaven and the earth". It is a traditional Meitei religious text. It is believed to have been written during the reign of King Khagemba (1526–1556 CE). The text is a treatise on Meitei cosmogony, or the story of the creation of the universe.[4]

Description

Leithak Leikharon presents, for the first time, the idea of a universal Lord, replacing the earlier belief in many Meitei gods and deities. Although the text is important for religious history, it is not considered literary in terms of language and storytelling. Toward the end, the writing becomes unclear and includes unrelated songs and stories. Despite these flaws, the core message of the text is important for the development of the Meitei faith.[4]

Story of creation

According to the text, the Almighty Lord wanted to create the universe. From his right nostril, he created his first son, Asheeba. From his left nostril, he created the second son, Konjin Tuthokpa.[4]

The father ordered Asheeba to create the world. Asheeba then created the sun, moon, stars, water, and air. He raised the earth from beneath the water and created humans in the image of the Lord, along with other living beings.[4]

During this process, his younger brother, Konjin Tuthokpa, caused problems. These disturbances were stopped when the Lord distracted him with a beautiful woman.[4]

Afterward, the uneven surface of the earth was made smooth by nine gods and seven goddesses to prepare it for humans to live on.[4]

Test for rulership

Further information: Nongkhong Koiba

The Lord decided to give the responsibility of ruling the earth to one of his sons. To choose between them, he asked both sons to circumambulate the earth. The winner would become the ruler.[4]

Asheeba walked sincerely all the way around the earth. However, Konjin Tuthokpa used his intelligence and only walked around the pedestal of the Lord, which he claimed represented the earth. Because of this cleverness, he was chosen to rule the world.[4]

Even so, Asheeba was given an important role. He became the presiding deity in every household.[4]

Later recognition

In later tradition, Asheeba and Konjin Tuthokpa came to be known as Sanamahi and Pakhangba respectively, who are the two important deities in the Meitei religion.[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Paniker, K. Ayyappa (1997). Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections. Sahitya Akademi. p. 334. ISBN 978-81-260-0365-5.
  2. ↑ Panchani, Chander Sheikhar (1987). Manipur, Religion, Culture, and Society. Konark Publishers. ISBN 978-81-220-0047-4.
  3. ↑ Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-81-7049-063-0.
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 Singh, Ch. Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 82
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