Koupalu (also, Koubaru or Koubru) is a primordial deity in
Meitei mythology
Meitei mythology or Manipuri mythology ( mni, Meitei Mi Lai Tingi Wari) is a collection of myths, belonging to the religious and cultural traditions of the Meitei people, the predominant ethnic group of Manipur. It is associated with tradi ...
and
religion
Religion is usually defined as a social- cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relates humanity to supernatural, ...
. He is the Guardian of the North West direction.
Legend says he is the founder of civilization in
Ancient Manipur,
starting from the
Mount Koubru
Mount Koubru (''Meeteilol'':ꯀꯧꯕ꯭ꯔꯨ) also known as Mount Koupalu is one of the highest mountains in Manipur, India and the abode of the god '' Lainingthou Koubru'' and the goddess '' Kounu'' in Manipuri mythology. Sapormeina town lies ...
, a peak where he abodes, in north-western
Manipur
Manipur () ( mni, Kangleipak) is a state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions of ...
.
God Koubru resides in the
Mount Koubru
Mount Koubru (''Meeteilol'':ꯀꯧꯕ꯭ꯔꯨ) also known as Mount Koupalu is one of the highest mountains in Manipur, India and the abode of the god '' Lainingthou Koubru'' and the goddess '' Kounu'' in Manipuri mythology. Sapormeina town lies ...
(Koubru Hill). The
Mount Koubru
Mount Koubru (''Meeteilol'':ꯀꯧꯕ꯭ꯔꯨ) also known as Mount Koupalu is one of the highest mountains in Manipur, India and the abode of the god '' Lainingthou Koubru'' and the goddess '' Kounu'' in Manipuri mythology. Sapormeina town lies ...
(Koubru Hill) is the first place of settlement of the
Meitei ethnicity
The Meitei people, also known as the Manipuri people,P.20: "historically, academically and conventionally Manipuri prominently refers to the Meetei people."P.24: "For the Meeteis, Manipuris comprise Meeteis, Lois, Kukis, Nagas and Pangal." is ...
, including the
Lois of
Andro,
Khurkhul
Khurkhul is a village in the Imphal West district in Manipur, India. It is located north of Lamphelpat and from the state capital Imphal
Imphal ( Meitei pronunciation: /im.pʰal/; English pronunciation: ) is the capital city of the Indian ...
,
Phayeng
Phayeng is a small village in Imphal West district of Manipur
Manipur () ( mni, Kangleipak) is a state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram t ...
and
Sekmai
Sekmai is a village in the Imphal West district in the Indian state of Manipur.
See also
*Phayeng
Phayeng is a small village in Imphal West
, native_name_lang = Meitei
, other_name = omp, Nongchup Yumphal
, nickn ...
.
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)!
This is the hymn of invocation of God Koubru (Koupalu in
PuYas).
Description
Lord Koupalu (Koubru) is the
Omniscient
Omniscience () is the capacity to know everything. In Hinduism, Sikhism and the Abrahamic religions, this is an attribute of God. In Jainism, omniscience is an attribute that any individual can eventually attain. In Buddhism, there are diffe ...
and the
Omnipotent
Omnipotence is the quality of having unlimited power. Monotheistic religions generally attribute omnipotence only to the deity of their faith. In the monotheistic religious philosophy of Abrahamic religions, omnipotence is often listed as one ...
Guardian God. He lives on the top of
Mount Koubru
Mount Koubru (''Meeteilol'':ꯀꯧꯕ꯭ꯔꯨ) also known as Mount Koupalu is one of the highest mountains in Manipur, India and the abode of the god '' Lainingthou Koubru'' and the goddess '' Kounu'' in Manipuri mythology. Sapormeina town lies ...
.
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
The Meitei people, also known as the Manipuri people,P.20: "historically, academically and conventionally Manipuri prominently refers to the Meetei people."P.24: "For the Meeteis, Manipuris comprise Meeteis, Lois, Kukis, Nagas and Pangal." is ...
. So, these are still worshipped by the Meiteis.
Worship
In the
Lai Haraoba
Lai Haraoba is a festival associated with the Meitei people celebrated to please the Umang Lai, the traditional Deity, deities of Sanamahism. Translated, Lai Haraoba means ''merry making of the Gods'' in Meitei language, Meiteilon. In this festi ...
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.
The
Meiteis
The Meitei people, also known as the Manipuri people,P.20: "historically, academically and conventionally Manipuri prominently refers to the Meetei people."P.24: "For the Meeteis, Manipuris comprise Meeteis, Lois, Kukis, Nagas and Pangal." is ...
offer a beautiful puppy to God Koubru to free themselves from the sufferings.
The
Loi caste of the
Meitei ethnicity
The Meitei people, also known as the Manipuri people,P.20: "historically, academically and conventionally Manipuri prominently refers to the Meetei people."P.24: "For the Meeteis, Manipuris comprise Meeteis, Lois, Kukis, Nagas and Pangal." is ...
worship God Koubru on every occasion, including birth, marriage and death.
All the Loi villagers excluding
Andro are the worshipers of God Koubru.
See also
*
Marjing
)
, texts = Kangjeirol, Leithak Leikharol
, gender = Male
, Greek_equivalent = Ares
, Roman_equivalent =
, Etruscan_equivalent =
, Christian_equivalent =
, Slavic_equivalent =
, Hinduism_equivalent =
, ...
– north east protector
*
Thangjing
Thangching or Thangjing is a primordial deity in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur).
He is the ruling deity of the Moirang dynasty of Ancient Moirang. He rules supreme on the banks of the landlocked sea, ...
– south west protector
*
Wangbren
)
* Wangpuren ( omp, Wangpulen)
* Wangbaren ( omp, Wangpulen)
* Wangbren ( omp, Wangpulen)
* Wangpurel ( omp, Wangpulel)
* Wangbarel ( omp, Wangpulel)
* Wangbrel ( omp, Wangpulel)
, hiro =
, Old_Norse =
, script_name = Ancient M ...
– south east protector
References
External links
INTERNET ARCHIVEE-pao.net{{Sanamahi1
Animal deities
Animal gods
Arts gods
Creator gods
\
Earth gods
Guardians of the directions
Hunting gods
Kings in Meitei mythology
Love and lust gods
Maintenance gods
Marriage gods
Meitei gods and goddesses
Names of God in Sanamahism
Nature gods
Ningthou
Pastoral gods
Peace deities
Peace gods
Sky and weather gods
Time and fate gods
Trickster gods
Wind gods