| Panthoibi Khonggul | |
| Religion: | Traditional Meitei religion (Sanamahism) |
| Author: | Akoijam Tombi (also called Akoijam Tomboy) |
| Period: | 8th century AD |
| Language: | Ancient Meitei Panthoipi Khongkul, romanized: /pān-thoi-pī khōng-kūl/ |
The Panthoibi Khonggul (Ancient Meitei: Panthoipi Khongkul, romanized: /pān-thoi-pī khōng-kūl/ ;), often misspelled as Panthoibi Khongul, is an ancient Meitei language text, narrating about the quest of deified Meitei princess Panthoibi. The text highlights the love story of Panthoibi and her ultimate lover Nongpok Ningthou,[1] [2] after leaving her former husband's house.[3] It is traditionally attributed to be written by Akoijam Tombi[4] (also called Akoijam Tomboy), during the reign of Meitei King Khongtekcha Yoiremba in c. 763 AD.[5] [6]
The text also talks about how the festival Lai Haraoba was begun after the union of the two lovers.[2]
The author of the text first introduces Panthoipi as a noble lady of surpassing beauty, a princess born to a Meitei king. In the beginning, she was spending her lonely days in the mni|ningol kaa|unmarried daughter's chamber. Many suitors sought her hand in marriage. King Sapaiba was the first suitor of Panthoibi. He had many great promises of making outstanding roadways, beautiful bridges, a grand palace, a big fish pond, everything just for the sake of her. However, princess Panthoibi rejected his offer claiming that all his preparations were not worthy enough to her level.[7]
Meitei princess Panthoibi was married to crown prince Taram Khoinucha, son of King Khābā Sokchrongbā and Queen Manu Teknga of the Khaba dynasty. At this grand marriage ceremony, outstandingly elaborate arrangements were made to receive the Meitei princess. The bridge was constructed with iron poles as its supports, silver plates were used as the planks and gold rods were used as the side rails. Despite the marriage was a grandeur, Panthoipi turned out to be contrasting. She didn't want to live in the way of life of a normal married women. Instead of it, she would always stay outdoors. She kept herself busy in wandering around the open meadows and bathing and sporting in the cool waters of the running river.[8]
During one of Panthoibi's escapades, she met Angoupa Kainou Chingsompa (Nongpok Ningthou), the ruler of the Langmai Hills (Nongmaiching Ching). The two fell in love with each other at the first sight. Nongpok Ningthou's handsome look and towering personality were the reasons why Panthoibi was attracted to him.Panthoibi and her paramour had several occasions to meet with each other secretly. Her activities cause her in laws suspicious of her behaviour. Her in laws tried at their best level to make Panthoibi change her behaviour. However, Panthoibi didn't give up.[9]
Panthoibi slipped out of her former husband's house (house of the Khaba dynasty) and eloped with the man after her own heart. Her in laws also didn't give up, like she didn't give up their persuasion to change her behaviour. The Khabas, under the leadership of her father in law, pursued her. The two met many difficulties in the way to escape from the Khabas. Finally, the two successfully managed to get the Khabas in vain.[10]
The two lovers got united in the Nongmaiching Ching (Selloi Langmai Ching), with a celebration that gave rise to the festival of Lai Haraoba. It is said that the celebration was attended by many ancient Meitei gods and goddesses.Later on, Meitei princess Panthoibi and her new husband Nongpok Ningthou (ruler of Nongmaiching mountains) were deified by the Khabas. The Khabas started worshipping them by performing dance and music. It was said to be the seminal form of the Lai Haraoba performances.[11]
Different aspects of the personalities of Goddess Panthoibi are described in the text. The following is a few of them: