Panthoibi
"Panthoibi" (Meitei: ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ) is the Goddess of power, war, combat, courage, peace, romance and prosperity in Sanamahism (Manipuri religion) as well as in Manipuri mythology. She is worshipped mainly by the Manipuri people in Manipur, Assam, Tripura, Bangladesh and Myanmar.[1] She is considered to be one of the Incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi, the goddess of earth and the highest goddess in Sanamahism. She is also identified as a form of Goddess Nongthang Leima.[2]
| Panthoibi ꯑꯌꯥꯡꯂꯩꯃ ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ One of the Incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi Goddess who uses snake as her belt | |
|---|---|
Goddess of Power, Wind, Peace, Love, War, Courage, Infinity, Longevity, Oracles, Life, Animals, Pride, Health and Wealth | |
| Member of Umang Lai and Meitei Manipuri deities | |
| Other names | Ayang Leima (ꯑꯌꯥꯡꯂꯩꯃ) Phouoibi Nongthang Leima Leimarel Sidabi Irai Leima Emoinu |
| Affiliation | Umang Lai, Sanamahism and Manipuri mythology |
| Abode | Nongmaiching Hill (ꯅꯣꯡꯃꯥꯏꯖꯤꯡ ꯆꯤꯡ) |
| Mantra | Ha Ima Ayangleima Panthoibi! Khurumjariye! Thoujaalbiyo! ꯍꯥ ꯏꯃꯥ ꯑꯌꯥꯡꯂꯩꯃ ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯢꯕꯤ! ꯈꯨꯔꯨꯝꯖꯔꯤꯌꯦ! ꯊꯧꯖꯥꯜꯕꯤꯌꯣ! |
| Weapon | Spear(ꯇꯥ), Sword (ꯊꯥꯡ) and Snake (ꯇꯥꯡꯖ ꯂꯤꯜ). |
| Symbol | tiger, white horse |
| Mount | Tiger (ꯇꯝꯕ ꯀꯩꯔꯦꯜ) (ꯋꯥꯉꯝ ꯀꯩꯔꯦꯜ) or white horse |
| Texts | Panthoibi Khongul (ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ ꯈꯣꯡꯒꯨꯜ), Panthoibi Mingkheilol (ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯢꯕꯤ ꯃꯤꯡꯈꯩꯂꯣꯜ), Panthoibi Naheirol |
| Gender | female |
| Festivals | Panthoibi Iratpa (ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ ꯏꯔꯥꯠꯄ), Lai Haraoba (ꯂꯥꯢ ꯍꯔꯥꯎꯕ) |
| Consort | Lainingthou Nongpok Ningthou (ꯅꯣꯡꯄꯣꯛ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ) |
| Equivalents | |
| Greek equivalent | Athena |
| Roman equivalent | Minerva |
| Hinduism equivalent | Durga[1] |
| Celtic equivalent | Sulis |
| Egyptian equivalent | Neith |
She is worshipped in a form of female deity riding on a Tiger in her pantheon.
Ancient texts-ꯄꯨꯌꯥ
In ancient Manipuri religion, Goddess Panthoibi is given one hundred and fifteen divine names, describing her varying attributes. Her description is mentioned in several ancient texts including Panthoibi Khongul as well as Panthoibi Mingkheilol. The following is a quotation from the ancient text Panthoibi Mingkheilol:
He Tamba Mapaal Unaidabi, Narraa Phangna Leechatpee꯫
Tarang Leehoubee, Leichang Lemphoo Oireebee꯫
Huiyen Laangee Laaleima, Laalgee Laanyaam Laalkubi꯫
....
Parei Waashak Chetpee, Sheelam Khangna Seenshoobee꯫
Koochoo Phambaal Phambee, Yaathang Waachoom Shoobee꯫
Khambee Meirel Tomshaatpee, He Ima! Leimarel Panthoibi Khoimom Sana Khuyarel Thambaal Leingaang Leishoombaboo Taangja Loodaa Thong Nadairem.... Na Punemjareeye꯫
Festivals
- Panthoibi Iratpa, a sacred festival for the goddess falls on the same day of Hindu festival Durga Puja, for Hindu goddess Durga. So, it is celebrated together in Manipur. The largest celebration takes place at the Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple.[3]
- Lai Haraoba is also a religious festival celebrated for several Umang Lai affiliated gods and goddesses including goddess Panthoibi.
Parallelism
Manipuri Goddess Panthoibi is compared to Hindu Goddess Durga and her incarnations for riding on the tiger and having the attributes of courage and fearlessness. The two goddesses are worshipped as the goddess of same attributes right from the reign of emperor Garib Niwaj during the arrival of Hinduism in the kingdom of Manipur.[4]
References
- https://m.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/panthoibi-celebrations-under-way/cid/319225
- http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Folk_Tales.Incarnations_of_Goddess_Nongthang_Leima_By_James_Oinam
- http://www.uniindia.com/durga-puja-panthoibi-festival-celebrated-in-manipur/other/news/243592.html
- http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Festival_of_Manipur.Manipur_Festival_Mangi_Devi.Durga_Puja