Nongthang Leima
"Nongthang Leima" (Meitei: ꯅꯣꯡꯊꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯃ) is the goddess of seduction and charm, often associated with thunder and lightning in Manipuri mythology and Sanamahism.[1] She is the daughter of the Sky God Soraren. She is also known as the Sky Princess or Thunder Goddess.[2][3][4] Goddess Nongthang Leima is regarded as the first goddess Maibi, who composed a dance form, which was later reposed to other goddesses.[5]
| Nongthang Leima | |
|---|---|
Goddess of seduction and charm | |
| Member of Umang Lai and Meitei deities | |
 Statue of the goddess in the form of a tribal woman, in Kakching | |
| Other names | Haoreima Sampubi |
| Affiliation | Umang Lai, Sanamahism, Meitei mythology |
| Abode | Sky kingdom |
| Planet | Earth |
| Symbol | music, pena, lighting and thunder |
| Texts | Lāirembī Nonggūmlol, Leithak Leikhārol |
| Festivals | Lai Haraoba |
| Personal information | |
| Parents |
|
| Greek equivalent | Astrape and Bronte |
| Roman equivalent | Fulgora (mythology) |
In some legends, it is said that Nongthang Leima is the consort of both Sanamahi and Pakhangba.[6]
Creation
When Lainingthou Sanamahi was in the process of the creation of the universe, his younger brother Pakhangba, also known as Haraba, disturbed him by destroying the new creations. As Sanamahi complained his father Atingkok Maru Sidaba about the disturbances of his younger brother, Lord Atingkok, in order to continue the task without any obstacles, created a divine maiden from his dazzling eyes through a great lighting and thunder. Thus, the created maiden was named "Nongthang Leima", literally meaning the lightning lady. She was given task to seduce young Haraba with her charm and took him distant from his brother's place. Together with Haraba, Nongthang Leima sang the divine Paosa Esei, which is the song associated with questions and answers. During the seduction period of young Haraba, Sanamahi could complete the creation of the universe.[7][8]
Incarnations
The goddess is said to be one of the Incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi and herself has several incarnations in different forms with various attributes, including the incarnations of goddess Panthoibi, Chang Ning Leima, Phouoibi and Charei Phishabi.[4] The goddess is worshipped by the Meitei people in Manipur.
Hymns
The following is the hymn dedicated to goddess Nongthang Leima:
Ha....aa.....aaa.... haa....
Thang2 thangnaro ×2
Roso thangnaro
Re..re.ra...re...rehei....
Noi....noi.....noi..
Ha....aaaa...aa...haa....
Nongmaijinga u-yale ×2
Khangdana yuhar hare ×2
Nunsi kapole...
Re re ra re hehei
Noi noi noi noi
Ha..aaa....aaaa...ahhh
Panthoibi ge sumangda ×2
Leichil pungfaina haa..haa
Leichil pungfaina chairamba kananoda?
Ree..re...rahh..re..rrhei
Noi...noi..noi.....noi...
Haaa..aaa....aaa...haaa
Kana/su nate panthoibi ×2
Lainingthou nongpok nahana
Panthoibibu pambagee
Leichil pungfaina haa..haa
Leichil pungfaina chairamba chaibanida
Re..re..raa..re..rehei..
Noi..noi..noi..noi..
Ha...aaa...aa....a..ha....
Purup nupi chingdaibi ×2
Nakhutna nama ha...ha..
Nakhutna nama tingthoklo
Khudop sibige..
Ree..re..ra..re..rehei...
Noi..noi..noi..noi..noi
Ha...aa..aa...haa..ha...
Mai2 pamjade ×2
Maida2 pamjade
Nakhoina purup nipase
Paoselnaba yamale
Einada hayeng chaoraga
Chaobana leptam faraga
Laifina khoidoknaraga
Fimuna koksetnaraga
Haosang tumthang naduna
Meiteina potfam chatuna
Apam pamda khanlaga
Achana chada yengduna
Leiduna sidoke
Re..re..ra..re..rehei..
No..noi..noi..noi..noi..
Ha..aaa..ahh..ahh..ha..
Nongban punse ewalei ×2
Fatrabasu china lei
Yamdrabasu chaisin lei
Singelna leipul saba lei
Leirang na kheiyom
leinouba chinminaside...
Re..re..ra..re..rehei..
Noi..noi..noi.noi..noi..
Ha..ha...ahhh..ahh..ha..
Pakhang kunsing lomdadi ×2
Khombina 9 tanfam lei
Ningolgi kumsing lomdadi
Khombina u tanfam lei
Panthou punsi ekhai lei
Palemna punsi ekhu lei
Parina suktaba leirang ne
Emomna soidaba leirangne
Pibiyu khaibiyu lainingthou lairemma
Re..re..ra..re..rehei..
Noi..noi..noi..noi..noi..
The song is currently popularised by the voice of Mangka Mayanglambam, a folk singer.[9]
Festivals
During her religious festival, the idols of the goddess is installed in a palanquin lifted up by the devotees.[10]
In popular culture
- Recently, Manipuri folk singer Mangka Mayanglambam recreated the ancient glory of the divine song sung describing the attributes of the goddess under the title Nongthang Leima.
- Recently, a play based on the life story of the goddess Nonthang Leima, the lightning lady, is performed.[11]
References
- https://books.google.co.in/books?id=50BLAAAAYAAJ&q=Nongthang+Leima&dq=Nongthang+Leima&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjLiY22uM3uAhVk4HMBHRtxDQYQ6AEwAnoECAkQAg
- https://books.google.co.in/books?id=NkMwAQAAIAAJ&q=Nongthang+Leima&dq=Nongthang+Leima&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi3poGE6b3qAhVmzjgGHbJ9BZgQ6AElGzAD
- https://www.quora.com/Who-is-Goddess-Nongthang-Leima-in-ancient-Manipuri-mythology?ch=99&share=293e6bbf&srid=uXRDzY
- "Incarnations of Goddess Nongthang Leima By James Oinam". www.e-pao.net.
- https://books.google.co.in/books?id=4h4rBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA116&dq=nongthang+Leima&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwitqLyoir3qAhVbeH0KHTtrBuwQ6AElCDAA#v=onepage&q=nongthang℅20Leima&f=false
- https://books.google.co.in/books?id=bjkBM3qyZ00C&pg=PA79&dq=Nongthang+Leima&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi3poGE6b3qAhVmzjgGHbJ9BZgQ6AElFTAC#v=onepage&q=Nongthang℅20Leima&f=false
- http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=leisure.Essays.Revisiting_the_Creation_Myth_By_James_Oinam
- http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Folk_Tales.Incarnations_of_Goddess_Nongthang_Leima_By_James_Oinam
- https://www.smule.com/song/mangka-mayanglambam-nongthang-leima-mangka-karaoke-lyrics/3609379_3609379/arrangement
- "Panthoibi celebrations under way". www.telegraphindia.com.