Koupalu

Koupalu
Guardian God of the North West Direction
Member of Maikei Ngaakpa Lais and Umang Lais
Other namesKoubaru, Koubru
Meitei
AffiliationMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
AbodeMount Koupalu (Mount Koubru)
WeaponSpear
AnimalsWhite elephant
MountWhite elephant
TextsPuYas
GenderMale
Ethnic groupMeitei ethnicity
FestivalsKoubru Lai Haraoba[1]
Personal information
ConsortKounu
Children
Meitei gods and goddesses
series
A tableau of Manipur representing a scene from Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology)
Celestial deities
Chthonic deities

Koupalu (also, Koubaru or Koubru) is a primordial deity in Meitei mythology and religion. He is the Guardian of the North West direction.[3][4][5][6] Legend says he is the founder of civilization in Ancient Manipur,[4] starting from the Mount Koubru, a peak where he abodes, in north-western Manipur.[3][6][7][8]

God Koubru resides in the Mount Koubru (Koubru Hill). The Mount Koubru (Koubru Hill) is the first place of settlement of the Meitei ethnicity, including the Lois of Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai.[3][6]

Origin

The traditional hymns supplement the theory of origin.

Awang Koubru Assupa
Leimalai Khunda Ahanba.
Nongthrei Ma-U Lingliba,
Irik Mapan Thariba,
Lainingthou!

English translation of the above passage:

North Koubru all-inclusive (pervasive)
Leima Lai first habitation,
Heaven-flower all things seen established,
Blood drop (Blood cell) planters,
O! Lainingthou (King of Gods)![9]

This is the hymn of invocation of God Koubru (Koupalu in PuYas).[9]

Description

Lord Koubru is the Omniscient and the Omnipotent Guardian God. He lives on the top of Mount Koubru.[10] God Koubru, the Heavenly Lord, is said to be the controller of the nine underground wells/tunnels. These are associated with the birth and death of the mankind. The 9 tunnels are sacred to the Meitei people. So, these are still worshipped by the Meiteis.[11]

Worship

In the Lai Haraoba festival, a ritualistic folk song dedicated to God Koubru is sung like this:

Awang Koubru Assupa
Eeyen Khunda Ahanba

English translation of the above passage:

Koubru of the North, You are the overlord
You are the first place of settlement.[3][6]

The Meiteis offer a beautiful puppy to God Koubru to free themselves from the sufferings.[3][6] The Loi caste of the Meitei ethnicity worship God Koubru on every occasion, including birth, marriage and death.[3][6] All the Loi villagers excluding Andro are the worshipers of God Koubru.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Koubru – Manipur News".
  2. ↑ Oinam, Bhagat; Sadokpam, Dhiren A. (2018-05-11). Northeast India: A Reader. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-429-95320-0.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Prakash, Col Ved (2007). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. ISBN 978-81-269-0706-9.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Singh, N. Tombi (1972). Manipur: A Study. Available with Raj Stores.
  5. ↑ Brara, N. Vijaylakshmi (1998). Politics, Society, and Cosmology in India's North East. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-564331-2.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
  7. ↑ Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi. Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
  8. ↑ Singh, Kumar Suresh; Horam, M.; Rizvi, S. H. M. (1998). Manipur. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN 978-81-7046-127-2.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Singh, Dr Th Suresh (2014-06-02). The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India. Quills Ink Publishing. p. 11. ISBN 978-93-84318-00-0.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Bareh, Hamlet (2001). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-790-0.
  11. ↑ Singh, Dr Th Suresh (2014-06-02). The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India. Quills Ink Publishing. p. 12. ISBN 978-93-84318-00-0.

Other websites

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Koupalu.