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The so-called 8th Century Phayeng Copper Plates
English Rendering by W. Yumjao Singh from the
original archaic Meetei
Shri
hari, in the year 721, Shok King Khongtecjcha, after his accession to
the throne obtained an acient manuscript through the grace of god as
reward of his devotedness to him.
This is the order of the Kong Khontechcha
Yoirenba and let it be known:
“I, the King, according to the injunctions of
this manuscript worshipped Siva and Durga for a little time and
through their grace received a stone that would make a man immortal
and not liable to diseases.
If anyone opens this book untimely let him die by vomiting blood, and
be killed by thunderbolt leaving no descendant and let all his clan
killed by the sword.
This is my further injunction that if anyone gets this book and
conceals it for himself without informing the king and the queen of
the land above curse will certainly befall him.
On the eve of opening the book a ceremony is to
be performed by offering three mud fishes, sweetmeats, 7 leaves of
sacred people tree, 7 leaves of embolic myrobalam tree and 7 sprouts
of Hunurei tree ( A kind of croton) at the dead of night and
there must not be present a second person. If such a puja is performed
the man will get his wishes.
The formula for this worship is : i, i, i, Soha,
Soha.
This book will be out in 1792, O moral know it
for certain.
Let me prdict another thing by bowing down to
Shiva, the king who gets the grace of Shivaand Durga will obtain this
book.
Now let me also predict another thing – in the
year 1790, there will be a great calamity in the land when Hari will
go to heaven. At this the god Gonesha, knowing beforehand the doom of
the country, will incarnate himself with the 363 Gods as man in order
to save this land. He will distribute handfuls of gold and silvers.
Even the iron age itself he will distinctly see Shiva and Durga, who
would favour him.
Let me predict another thing: off the 89 kings, one will marry Durga,
when she will incarnate as human being, and the god Indra will born of
her, as king who with his spiritual guide and the human incarnation of
Gods will reign in the kingdom. Let it be known that he will appoint
divine officials and the nine gods will also be appointed his
ofiicials. He will wear the nine storied umbrella, and have golden and
silver swords made. The doolie that will be made for himwill be
called “Puspamahamanik” and after this the white elephant will come.
All the 89 kings will play tribute to him, man must know this for
certain. On of this kings who knows the merit of the spiritualguide
will give his daughter in marriage to him and all the 89 kings will
have to worship him. You must know that it is not what I say of my own
accord but it is an injunction of Shiva and thus can never fail.
And this king, on accounts of his devotedness to
Shiva, Durga and Ganesha will get the Dharma of Rasayana. Those who
worship Shiva, Durga, and Gonesha will get what has been said above.
If the king worships according to the injunctions of this book he will
get the medicines known as La, Kou, Pram.
Let me also say another thing: this book will be
obtained by man who is an incarnation of the god Viswakarma.
O man, you must know for certain that it is not
my prediction but it is the injunction of Shiva. Let me reveal another
thing: the formula to appease Shiva is – Om shring, Khoga asirma ring
soha. This formula will have to muttered for 12 months. The necessary
ingredients for this puja are 12 leaves of Bengal quince, 12 flowers
of nux-vomica, milk from red, black and white cows, rice(uncoocked),
seas mum, incense and candles. This formula can also be used for the
worship of Devi. One who recites this formula will never killed by
sword, the spear, fire, water and wind, but will get his wishes
fulfilled.
Let me say another thing too: if you wish to worship Shiva, Durga and
Gonesha do it with the above formula. You will get them. The king who
obtains this spiritual quide first of all is a fortunate king who on
account of his devotedness to him will live for 1000 years. This king
will go to heaven with the spiritual guide; they will first have to go
to the feet of Shiva and Durga and then become the servant of Hari.
Then they will not have rebirth.
This is my, the king’s order, that this manuscript, if I be the
servant of Shiva, never perish. If the king worships the god with a
firm believe, Devi will reward him with three medicines, namely La,
Kou, Pram.
You must remember that this is my, the kings, prediction. ”
*Source: Report of the Archaeological studies in Manipur, Bulletin No.
1, 1935
**The plates relate to the time of King Khonteckcha, who reigned,
according to Chaitharol Kumbaba, from AD 763-784, although the dating
of the plate was not much earlier than 18th century.
Possible the aim of the plates was to gain royal patronage for the
worship of Shiva and Durga, which are comparatively recent origin in
Manipur.
The phayeng plates then tell nothing about 8th century
believes. They are, however, valuable evidence for the presence of
Saivism in Manipur at some time.
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