Lainaotabi

Leima Lainaotabi (Manipuri: ꯂꯥꯢꯅꯥꯎꯇꯥꯕꯤ) is a goddess in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. She is the youngest wife of God Thongalel of the underworld kingdom (Meitei: Khamnung).^[1] Thongalel sent her to be the wife of Poireiton, her brother-in-law. Lainaotabi gave birth to a son with Poireiton.^[2][3][4] Her legend says she made the first clay pot.^[5] She was worshipped by the people of Ashangbam clan.^[6]

Lainaotabi
Goddess of charm, magic, sorcery, spell, weaving and witchcraft
Member of Lairembis
Affiliation	Sanamahism
Texts	Poireiton Khunthok Nongban Pombi Luwaoba
Gender	Female
Region	Antique Manipur
Ethnic group	Meitei
Festivals	Lai Haraoba
Consorts	Thongalel Poireiton Nongban Pombi Luwaoba
Equivalents
Greek	Hecate

Mythology

Journey from Underworld to human world

Lainaotabi was the youngest queen of King Thongaren (Old Manipuri: Thongalen) of the underworld kingdom (Meitei: Khamnung). Queen Laikhurembi was the first wife of the King. Poireiton, Thongalel's younger brother, was about to leave on a journey to Tai Pang Pan. The king asked Laikhurembi to go with Poireiton as his wife because Poireiton's own wife had died.^[7] However, Laikhurembi did not want to go. Trees had already been planted to honor her as the King's wife. So, instead of Laikhurembi, Lainaotabi was sent to accompany her brother in law Poireiton as a wife.^[8]

Love with a mortal prince

Lainaotabi (Leinaotabi) went with Poireiton, her brother-in-law, on a journey to earth. Later, she became separated from him. She was adopted by King Koubru as his daughter. Afterwards, she came to be known as Koubarol Namoinu (Old Manipuri: Koupalol Namoinu) alias Koubru Namoinu (Old Manipuri: Koupalu Namoinu).^[9] She fell in love with prince Nongban Pombi Luwaoba of Luwang dynasty. She met the prince for the first time when he visited King Koubru. She and prince Luwaoba married and led a happy life. God Thongalel did not want his own wife spending her days with another man. So, the thread of her life was cut short and her soul recalled. However, the Prince did not give up. He challenged God Thongalel to give back his wife's soul or to fight with him.^[10][11] He guarded the dead body of Koubru Namoinu without performing the funeral ceremony. Thongalel first sent his two younger brothers one by one for the fight. Prince Nongban Pombi Luwaoba defeated his two divine opponents. Finally, Thongalel himself appeared before him. But this time, the prince realised that he was no match for powerful God. So, he begged mercy and kindness to restore Koubru Namoinu's life so that the Luwang dynasty might have further generation. Thongalel felt pity on him. So, he granted the couple to live for another hundred years with marital pleasure. According to legends, Hongnem Luwang Punshiba was the son of Koubru Namoinu (Lainaotabi) and Nongban Pombi Luwaoba.^[11][12]

Pantheon and worship

The pantheon dedicated to goddess Lainaotabi (Leinaotabi) was mainly maintained by the Ashangbam clan of Meitei ethnicity in Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur). It was recorded in the Loyumba Shinyen (1100 AD).^[13]

References

1. The North Eastern Geographer. North East India Geographical Society. 1980.
2. Tensuba, Keerti Chand (1993). Genesis of Indian Tribes: An Approach to the History of Meiteis and Thais. Inter-India Publications. ISBN 978-81-210-0308-7.
3. Medieval Indian Literature: An Anthology. Sahitya Akademi. 1997.
4. Moirangthem Kirti (1988). Religion and Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-81-7049-021-0.
5. Ray, Bharati (2005-09-15). Women of India: Colonial and Post-colonial Periods. SAGE Publications India. ISBN 978-81-321-0264-9.
6. Sanajaoba, Naorem (1993). Manipur: Treatise & Documents. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-399-5.
7. Singh, Wahengbam Ibohal. The History Of Manipur. p. 245.
8. Singh, Wahengbam Ibohal. The History Of Manipur. p. 246.
9. The North Eastern Geographer. North East India Geographical Society. 1980.
10. Delhi, All India Radio (AIR), New (1968-03-17). AKASHVANI: Vol. XXXIII, No.12 ( 17 MARCH, 1968 ). All India Radio (AIR),New Delhi.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
11. Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (2020-11-25). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-29629-7.
12. Delhi, All India Radio (AIR), New (1968-03-17). AKASHVANI: Vol. XXXIII, No.12 ( 17 MARCH, 1968 ). All India Radio (AIR),New Delhi.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
13. Sanajaoba, Naorem (1993). Manipur: Treatise & Documents. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-399-5.