Manipuri Guardians of the Directions

In Manipuri religion and Manipuri mythology, the Guardians of the Directions or Maikei Ngaakpa Lai refers to the deities who rule the specific directions of space according to Sanamahism.

There are mainly ten Guardians of the Directions in Manipuri mythology. These are the following:

Deities Direction
Laireima Kounu North
Lok Ningthou South
Nongpok Ningthou East
Loya Lakpa West
Thangjing South West
Ibudhou Marjing North East
Wangbren South East
Koubru North West
Salailen Sidaba Zenith
Thongalel Nadir

Development

According to Manipuri mythology, before the creation of the universe, there were four deities who guard four realms. These are the following:

Old name of the deities Modern name of the deities Divine jurisdiction
Thawaa Wangbren Nonglam
Chengaa Marjing Mitlam
Yucheng Thangjing Eelam
Yuhaa Koubru Nungshitlam

These four deities guardians guard the four main directions before the creation of the universe.

However, the following deities are also added to the guardianship of the directions after the creation of the universe:

Deities Direction
Nongpok Ningthou Nongpok (East)
Loya Lakpa Nongchup (West)
Laireima Kounu Awang (North)
Lok Ningthou Makha (South)

Four main directions

Hindu equivalents

The Manipuri directional deities have their Hindu equivalents. The following are as follows:

Deities Hindu equivalents Directions
Laireima Kounu Kubera North
Lok Ningthou Yama South
Nongpok Ningthou Indra East
Loya Lakpa Varuna West
Thangjing Nirrti South West
Ibudhou Marjing Isana North East
Wangbren Agni South East
Koubru Vayu North West
Salailen Sidaba Brahma Zenith
Thongalel Vishnu Nadir

References

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