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Nongshaba

This page is about the son of the supreme deity in Meitei religion. For his another divine form, see Kangla Sha.
This page is about a sun lion god. For the general sun god in Meitei mythology, see Korouhanba.

Nongshaba or Nongsaba[a] (Meitei: ꯅꯣꯡꯁꯥꯕ) is a Lion God in Meitei religion (Sanamahism) and mythology. He is also the king of the gods.[13][3][4] He made light for the world. He made the sun.[1][9][14][15] He is worshipped by the people of both the Ningthouja clans as well as the Moirang clans. God Nongshaba is worshipped in Moirang as the father of God Thangching (Thangjing).[10][5][6][11] He is the most powerful and important of the Umang Lais (Meitei for forest gods) in Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). He made his only son Thangching (Thangjing) the king of Moirang.[8][5][16][6]

Nongshaba
(Old Manipuri: Nongshapa)
Maker of the Sun[1][2]
Lion God[3][4]
King of the gods[3]
Member of Umang Lai Meitei deities[5][6]
Other namesNongsaba (Old Manipuri: Nongsapa)
Tholbu Chinglen Nongdai Ningthou (Old Manipuri: Tholpu Chinglen Nongtai Ningthou)[7]
Major cult centerUmang Lai cults
TextsNongshaba Laihui[7]
GenderMale
RegionAncient Kangleipak (early Manipur)
Ethnic groupMeitei people
FestivalsLai Haraoba
Personal information
ParentsSalailen Sidaba (father)
Siblings
The origin of the Meitei language name "Nongsaba" ("Nongshaba")

History

Nongshaba (Nongsaba) and his wife Sarunglaima (Sarungleima) being carried to the Laisang or Laishang ('temple') in Moirang - Two girls are carrying the god's fans and utensils in their hands. Each has a red blanket for the god's use over her left shoulder. This was first published in the 1901 edition of "Man (journal)" of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland.

The culture of God Nongsaba (Nongshaba) was brought from Moirang, to Meitei King Khagemba (Meitei: ꯈꯥꯒꯦꯝꯕ). Two people, Mungyaang Ngairaangba and Yumnaam Tonba, brought the worship of Nongshaba to Moirang.[17][18]

During the reign of King Khagemba (Meitei: ꯈꯥꯒꯦꯝꯕ) (r. 1597-1652 AD), worshippers began to think of Nongsaba as the King of the gods. God Nongsaba was recognised as an Umang Lai. The people built a temple.[19][20]

With this, other Umang Lai gods and goddesses became lower ranking gods and goddesses. During this time, a Meitei family named "Leithangbam" managed the temple of Nongsaba. "Phura" was a group of maibis Meitei for priestesses. They worship God Nongsaba.[19][21][22][23]

During the time of Meitei king Paikhomba (Meitei: ꯄꯥꯏꯈꯣꯝꯕ), there was a religious marriage ceremony of princess Yaosombi (Meitei: ꯌꯥꯎꯁꯣꯝꯕꯤ) and God Nongsaba. In the event, an elephant was offered to the god. From the time of King Khagemba until the time of King Charairongba, God Nongsaba was more popular than God Sanamahi.[21][24]

During the time of King Garibniwaz (Meitei: Pamheiba), on the 12th of November 1723, Brahmins (priests of Hinduism) started controlling the temples of Nongsaba (Nongshaba) and Yimthei Lai, Panthoibi and Taibangkhaiba (Sanamahi).[21][25][26]

After 1726 AD, the culture of worshipping God Nongsaba did not survive for a long time. His worshipping culture was replaced by the different gods and goddesses of Hinduism.[27][28] On 17 October 1732, King Garibniwaz (Meitei: Pamheiba) and his teacher Shantidas Gosai closed the temples of Nongshaba as well as Sanamahi, Yumtheilai, Panthoibi, and other Umang Lais.[29]

Mythology

According to the Meitei mythology, Kangla Sha is another form of God Nongshaba.[30][31]

According to the "Nongshaba Laihui" ("Nongsaba Laihui") book, God Nongsaba (Nongshaba) is the second son of the Universal God. He is also known as "Tholbu Chinglen Nongdai Ningthou". According to the book, God Nongsaba doesn't have much duty or any big role in the creation of the universe. Unlike his younger brother Pakhangba, Nongsaba did not disturb his elder brother Asheeba (alias Sanamahi). He stayed away from disturbing Asheeba.[7][32][33][34]

Unlike his younger brother Pakhangba, Nongsaba does not have any human children. Unlike his elder brother Sanamahi, Nongsaba does not have any human forms. These are mentioned in the Meitei language books, the Pakhangba Laihui and the Sanamahi Laihui.[35][34]

The Nongsaba Laihui (Nongshaba Laihui) describes the greatness of God Nongsaba (Nongshaba) as follows:

“Thou, Lord of Gods and Goddesses together with the exalted Awang Phatlou Laimakhomba (Sanamahi), like two strands of the thread entwined, exercise Thine sway over the earth and in doing so effulgent rays radiate from Thee. Thus with the reflected light, all other divine beings take on a dazzling look and are then made to stand guard at the four corners, eight directions and sixteen sub-directions. All the souls of the living creatures emanate from Thee and again like beads of gold strung together Thou art in complete harmony with Nongda Lairen Pakhangba who can be a man in the night and a God during the day. There Thou takest Thine name as Chinglen Nongdai Ningthou and with Thine consort Thongnang Leicha Khombi, Thou becomest like innumerable Suns among the myriad stars… On both of Thee attend the God of the death and the God of the westerly directions, who hold ornamental receptacles for delicacies. And the enchanting seven goddesses gently play the fans made of peacock feathers for Thy pleasure. O Powerful One! Thou holdest intake the seven folds of the sky above and the earth down below with dowels of iron…”[35][7][36]

The "Nongsaba Laihui" book also says about God Nongsaba (Nongshaba) as follows:

“God Koubru served Nongsaba as his shawl, god Thangjing Koiren Ningthou as his back cushion, god Wangpuren, son of Wangnu Reima Khomchomphabi, as his carpet, God Marching, as his throne, god Nongpok Ningthou as his looking mirror, Telli Ningthou Sidaba as his clothes hanger, the sun god as his sekpin (canopy) and Pakhangba as arangchi, goddess”[19]

The book says that all the Umang Lai gods and goddesses (including Sanamahi) are junior of God Nongsaba (Nongshaba).[19][34]

According to Dr. Saroj Nalini Arambam Parratt, the second lines of the Meitei poem "Anoirol" mentions many sky deities. In the song, Nongshaba is said to be the god of the sky of Moirang. This song is sung in the Lai Haraoba, .[37]

Worship

People who worship Nongshaba give him white clothes, fruit, flowers, white fish (preferably "Sareng" (Wallago attu)) and other clothes. These are the same types of gifts that people offer to Pakhangba and Yumjao Lairembi (Yumjao Leima).[38][39][40]

In early times, God Nongshaba was worshipped along with Pakhangba, in the "Naoshumshang" (Meitei for the holy place of died elders). The God gives long life to the Meitei kings.[41]

In "Khoibaching", Manipur, a round shaped stone is worshipped as God Nongshaba. The holy place is protected by the kings. It was worshipped by the kings only. It is 6 cubits deep.[42][6]

According to Meitei culture, the "Phura" is a group of the maibis Meitei for priestesses. They take care of the temples of God Nongshaba.[43]

Maibis Latin transliterations (Romanisation) Hierarchy Salai Latin transliterations (Romanisation) Deities to be worshipped Latin transliterations (Romanisation)
ꯁꯪꯂꯦꯟ Shanglen Top position ꯃꯉꯥꯡ Mangang ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ Pakhangba
ꯅꯣꯡꯃꯥꯢ (ꯅꯣꯡꯃꯥꯏ) Nongmai Middle position ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ Luwang ꯌꯨꯝꯖꯥꯎ ꯂꯩꯃ Yumjao Leima (Yumjao Lairembi)
ꯐꯨꯔꯥ (ꯐꯨꯂꯥ) Phura (Phula) Lowest position ꯈꯨꯃꯟ Khuman ꯅꯣꯡꯁꯥꯕ Nongshaba

In Meitei clothes

"Ningkham Samchi" ("Ningkham Samji" or "Ningkham Samjin") Clothes shows God Nongsaba (Nongshaba).

In Meitei cultural clothes, the design of the "Ningkham" and the "Samjin" shows God Nongshaba. The "Samjin" shows the head of God Nongshaba. The "Ningkham" shows the tail of God Nongshaba.[44][45][46][47]

Head of Nongshaba

The head of God Nongshaba is similar to that of the unicorn. It is shown in the "head cloth". It is shown by the curved decorated stick raising up at its top.[44]

Ears of Nongshaba

The two ears of God Nongshaba are shown by the fan like clothes on the two sides of the head cloth.[44]

Beard of Nongshaba

The beard of God Nongshaba is shown by the long and narrow line of a decorative cloth. That cloth is hung loosely on the chest.[44]

Main body of Nongshaba

The designed body of God Nongshaba is shown by the Khamen Chatpa cloth.[44]

Tail of Nongshaba

The tail of God Nongshaba is shown by the "Ningkham" on the belt worn round the waist.[44][45]

In Bangladesh

Meitei kings built many temples for Meitei gods and goddesses in Bangladesh. Among many, there is also a temple of God Nongshaba.[48] In the Manipuri Rajbari in Lama Bazar of Bangladesh, the temple of God Nongshaba was built along with the temples of God Pakhangba and Goddess Yumjao Lairembi. Its architecture is similar to that of Goddess Yumjao Lairembi. The Temple's front door faces South. It is square in shape. It covers an area of 2.40 sq. meters.[49][50][51]

Publication

On the 15th of December 2015 in Imphal, "Nongsaba" (magazine) was published under the aim "Journalism for change". It is about the social, political, economic, educational, cultural, scientific topics.[52]

Nongshaba Media

  • Women wearing Ningkham samjin dress representing Nongshaba.

Notes

  1. ↑ In Meitei language, there is no difference between "sa" and "sha".

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. Man (in en) (1901)London. p. 85.
  2. ↑ Man (in en) (1913)Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. p. 10, 81, 85.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Internationales Asienforum: International Quarterly for Asian Studies (in en, de) (1989)Weltform Verlag.. p. 300.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Singh, Moirangthem Kirti. Folk Culture of Manipur (1993). ISBN 9788170490630.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 General, India Office of the Registrar. Census of India, 1961 (in en) (1962)Manager of Publications. p. 53.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Parratt, Saroj Nalini. The Religion of Manipur: Beliefs, Rituals, and Historical Development (in en) (1980)Firma KLM. p. 15, 118, 125. ISBN 978-0-8364-0594-1.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Singh, Ch Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature (in en) (1996)Sahitya Akademi. p. 83, 84. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. Man (in en) (1901)London. p. 81.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Man (in en) (1913)Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. p. 10, 81, 85.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Singh, N. Joykumar. Ethnic Relations Among the People of North-East India (in en) (2006)Centre for Manipur Studies, Manipur University and Akansha Publishing House. p. 47, 48. ISBN 978-81-8370-081-8.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Anthropos (in en, fr, de, it) (1913)Zaunrith'sche Buch-, Kunst- und Steindruckerei. p. 888.
  12. ↑ Leach, Marjorie. Guide to the gods (in en) (1992)Gale Research. p. 68. ISBN 978-1-873477-85-4.
  13. ↑ Neelabi, sairem. Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul (in mni) (2006)Longjam Arun For G.M.Publication, Imphal. p. 156, 157, 158, 159, 160.
  14. ↑ Leach, Marjorie. Guide to the gods (in en) (1992)Gale Research. p. 116. ISBN 978-1-873477-85-4.
  15. ↑ Leach, Marjorie. Guide to the gods (in en) (1992)Gale Research. p. 362. ISBN 978-1-873477-85-4.
  16. ↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini. Religion Of Manipur (in en) (1980)Firma Klm. p. 15.
  17. ↑ Bahadur, Mutua. Epigraphical Records of Manipur (in en, mni) (1986)Mutua Museum. p. 29.
  18. ↑ Hareshwar Goshwami. Hareshwar Goshwami History Of The PEOPLE OF MANIPUR (in en) (2004)Yaol Publishing Limited, 22-22 Wenlocl Road, London. p. 214.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 Birajit, Soibam. Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness (in en) (2014-12-01)ARECOM (Advanced Research Consortium, Manipur). p. 110.
  20. ↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini. Religion Of Manipur (in en) (1980)Firma Klm. p. 125.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Birajit, Soibam. Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness (in en) (2014-12-01)ARECOM ( Advanced Research Consortium, Manipur). p. 111.
  22. ↑ Singh, Moirangthem Kirti. Religion and Culture of Manipur (in en) (1988)Manas Publications. p. 38, 39. ISBN 978-81-7049-021-0.
  23. ↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini. Religion Of Manipur (in en) (1980)Firma Klm. p. 127, 128.
  24. ↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini. Religion Of Manipur (in en) (1980)Firma Klm. p. 141.
  25. ↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini. Religion Of Manipur (in en) (1980)Firma Klm. p. 19.
  26. ↑ Hinduism in Manipur Part 2 By Chirom Rajketan. e-pao.net. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  27. ↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini. The Religion of Manipur: Beliefs, Rituals, and Historical Development (in en) (1980)Firma KLM. p. 51, 157. ISBN 978-0-8364-0594-1.
  28. ↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini. Religion Of Manipur (in en) (1980)Firma Klm. p. 157.
  29. ↑ Noni, Arambam. Colonialism and Resistance: Society and State in Manipur (in en) (2015-10-16)Routledge. p. 235. ISBN 978-1-317-27066-9.
  30. ↑ Singh, Moirangthem Kirti. Recent Researches in Oriental Indological Studies: Including Meiteilogy (in en) (1998)Parimal Publications. p. 53.
  31. ↑ Anvīkshā (in en, bn, sa) (2004)Jadavpur University. p. 237.
  32. ↑ Paniker, K. Ayyappa. Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections (Assamese-Dogri) (in en) (1997)Sahitya Akademi. p. 337. ISBN 978-81-260-0365-5.
  33. ↑ Siṃha, Konsama Mānikacānda. Noṃśābā lāihui (in en) (2015)Konasama Imo Simha.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Chandrashekhar Singh, Khulem. Umang Lai Khunda Ahaba Chahi (in mni) (1982)All Manipur Umang Lai Haraoba Committee & Digital Library of India. p. 3–21.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Singh, Ch Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature (in en) (1996)Sahitya Akademi. p. 84. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  36. ↑ Singh, Elangbam Nilakanta. Aspects of Indian Culture (1982).
  37. ↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini. The Pleasing of the Gods: Meitei Lai Haraoba (in en) (1997)Vikas Publishing House. p. 105, 112, 178. ISBN 978-81-259-0416-8.
  38. ↑ Meitei, Mayanglambam Mangangsana. The Sound of Pena in Manipur (in en) (2021-06-06)Marjing Mayanglambam. p. 19. ISBN 978-93-5473-655-1.
  39. ↑ Meitei, Mayanglambam Mangangsana. The Sound of Pena in Manipur (in en) (2021-06-06)Marjing Mayanglambam. p. 52. ISBN 978-93-5473-655-1.
  40. ↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini. Religion Of Manipur (in en) (1980)Firma Klm. p. 51, 52.
  41. ↑ Muthukumaraswamy, M. D.. Folklore, Public Sphere, and Civil Society (in en) (2004)NFSC www.indianfolklore.org. p. 71. ISBN 978-81-901481-4-6.
  42. ↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini. Religion Of Manipur (in en) (1980)Firma Klm. p. 117, 118.
  43. ↑ Brara, N. Vijaylakshmi. Politics, society, and cosmology in India's North East (1998)Delhi ; New York : Oxford University Press. p. 138. ISBN 978-0-19-564331-2.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 44.4 44.5 Dr. K. Sobita Devi. Traditional Dress of the Meiteis (in en, mni) (1998). Imphal: Bhubon Publishing House. p. 94.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 Dr. K. Sobita Devi. Traditional Dress of the Meiteis (in en, mni) (1998). Imphal: Bhubon Publishing House. p. 96.
  46. ↑ Kangleinganpa Kha Nganpa, S.. History Of Meetei People-holy Book Ed. 2nd (in mni) (2011)Digital Library of India. p. 263.
  47. ↑ Kangleinganpa Kha Nganpa, S.. History Of Meetei People-holy Book Ed. 2nd (in mni) (2011)Digital Library of India. p. 264.
  48. ↑ Sana, Raj Kumar Somorjit. The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs: From 1666 CE to 1850 CE (in en) (2010)Waikhom Ananda Meetei. p. 300, 301. ISBN 978-81-8465-210-9.
  49. ↑ Sanajaoba, Naorem. Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization (in en) (1988)Mittal Publications. p. 172. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2.
  50. ↑ Sanajaoba, Naorem. Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization (in en) (1988)Mittal Publications. p. 175. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2.
  51. ↑ manipur channel >>Arts and Culture ~ E-Pao! News About Manipur. e-pao.net. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  52. ↑ Fortnightly magazine: 05th dec15 ~ E-Pao! Headlines. e-pao.net. Retrieved 2022-10-06.

Further reading

Other websites

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