In Meitei religion and Meitei mythology, the Guardians of the Directions or Maikei Ngaakpa Lai refers to the deities who rule the specific directions of space according to Sanamahism.
There are mainly ten Guardians of the Directions in Meitei mythology. These are the following: NameMeitei TransliterationDirectionDescriptionConsortAssociated creatureKounu ꯀꯧꯅꯨNorthShe's the goddess who dwells in the snows of far north. Kounuthel (ꯀꯧꯅꯨꯊꯦꯜ), a stream, flowing in the Kounu Hill (ꯀꯧꯅꯨ ꯆꯤꯡ) is considered to be her native place. She's the mother of Lord Loyalakpa. Lainingthou Koubru Lok Ningthou ꯂꯣꯛ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ SouthHe's the divine king of a hillock kingdom in the southern realms. Nongpok Ningthou ꯅꯣꯡꯄꯣꯛ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧEastHe's the ruler of the Selloi Langmai Nongpok Hill (ꯁꯦꯂꯣꯢ ꯂꯥꯡꯃꯥꯢ ꯅꯣꯡꯄꯣꯛ ꯆꯤꯡ), and is associated with attributes of being a hunter, a lover, an adventurer and a physician. PanthoibiHe himself assumes the form of a ferocious tiger, whom goddess Panthoibi rides on. Loya Lakpa ꯂꯣꯌꯥ ꯂꯥꯛꯄ WestHe's the son of Lord Koubru and Lady Kounu. He's the consort of Lady Thoudu Nungthel Leima (ꯊꯧꯗꯨ ꯅꯨꯡꯊꯦꯜ ꯂꯩꯃ), the adopted daughter of his own parents. Thangjing ꯊꯥꯡꯖꯤꯡSouth westHe's the progenitor of the Moilang dynasty in Moirang kingdom. He dwells both in the Ibudhou Thangjing Temple as well as on the Thangjing Hill.Ayangleima Ahal (Koirenleima Ahal) and Ayangleima Atompi (Koirenleima Atompi) He rides on a Manipuri pony, which is a gift from Lord Marjing. Ibudhou Marjing ꯏꯕꯨꯙꯧ ꯃꯥꯔꯖꯤꯡ North eastHe's the God associated with horses, polo, sports, war, combat, battle, and animals. His only child is Lord Tolongkhomba.He's the consort of Lady Humuleima, the daughter of Kurulen Sidaba. He rides on Samadon Ayangba, a winged flying horse, with white complexion. Wangbren ꯋꯥꯡꯕ꯭ꯔꯦꯟSouth eastHe's the God associated with water, diseases, death and plaque.Anal Chanu ShangnulembiHe rides on a black tiger. Koubru ꯀꯩꯕ꯭ꯔꯨ North westHe's the God associated with hunting, animals and wind. Legend says thunderstorm is due to the firing of his divine gun and cloudiness is due to the spreading of his clothes.KounuHe rides on Koubru Laishaa, a white elephant. Salailen Sidaba ꯁꯂꯥꯢꯂꯦꯟ ꯁꯤꯗꯕZenithHe's the Supreme Being and the Sky God, who rules the heaven.Leimarel Sidabi, Nong Leima and Tampha Lairembi. He rides either on an elephant or on a winged horse. Thongalelꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯂꯦꯜ NadirHe's the God of death and the ruler of the underworld kingdom. Laikhurembi, Thongak Leima, Khamnung Kikoi Louonbi and Lainaotabi.
Development
According to Meitei mythology, before the creation of the universe, there were four deities who guard four realms. These are the following: Old name of the deitiesModern name of the deitiesDivine jurisdiction Thawaa Wangbren Nonglam Chengaa Marjing Mitlam Yucheng Thangjing Eelam Yuhaa Koubru Nungshitlam These four deities guard the four main directions before the creation of the universe.
However, the following deities are also added to the guardianship of the directions after the creation of the universe: DeitiesDirection Nongpok Ningthou Nongpok (East) Loya Lakpa Nongchup (West) Laireima Kounu Awang (North) Lok Ningthou Makha (South) Four main directions Ibudhou Marjing:- He is the Guardian of the North East direction. Thangjing:- He is the Guardian of the South West direction. Lainingthou Koubru:- He is the guardian of the North West direction. Wangbren:- He is the guardian of the South East direction.
See also Guardians of the directions, the Hindu equivalent. Norðri, Suðri, Austri and Vestri, the Norse equivalent.
References
External links India Through the Ages