Spiritual Bonding Between Mother Tongue, Heart And Other Languages
- Part 3 -
(International Mother language Day, 21st February, 2013)

Dr. Moirangthem Jiban Singh *

Saroi Khangba at Lamta Thangj :: 05 March 2011

LAMTAI-THANGJA IN MANIPUR

Granny says, "Kids! Today is the first Saturday of Lamta" and tells us to close the door and windows firmly, saying that it is the day for the evil spirits. Evil spirits! The thought makes us scare. Can it be believable? According to the calendar of Manipur, 'Lamta' is the last month. The first Saturday of this month is called 'Lamtai-Thangja' (lamta's Saturday), a creepy day. It is the retirement day for all those gods who have been working for the whole year, as well as the day for the evil spirits to chase them away far beyond the border of township. This day is called as 'Kurak-Lamdaiba or Saroi-Ngaroi Khangba'.

People offer flowers, fruits and vegetables, whatever they can, from their own garden to 'Eebudhou' who protects the entire township. The offered vegetables are prepared and cooked in the temple and people share and have it together. 'After meal, 'Amaiba-Amaibi & the elders of the township offer the already served share foods to the evil spirits somewhere far beyond the township.

SOUL IS COMMON FOR EACH LIFE

The 'soul' is one and only and there is no difference among the soul of young-old, birds-animals and insects. 'Soul' is a kind of force which cannot be seen and dwells in the body of all creatures. We plead when we touch at others with our feet. It is not the body of that human being that we are pleading for but the soul.

On the other hand, a living being need five elements i.e. fire, water, land, air and space which is called as 'Panchabut' to survive. The every belonging of living beings are going to be merged in panchabut when they are motionless means after death.

WE BESTOW RESPECT TO SOUL NOT TO BODY

The life journey of all living beings combines of both good and bad. This is the reason for the saying that life is blissful as well as misery. Love, virtue, faith, help and sacrifice are all emerged from soul and thought is its mother tongue. On the other hand, wickedness, jealousy, desire, greed, idleness and hatred are all emerged from body. A person is respected touching his feet when he does something really good. We should not forget that we are giving that respect to his soul and thought not to his body. Some of us feel happy and feel proud that we have been respected touching our feet. That is his first step to transform into an animal. 'Soul and body' always fight and argue every time. Here goes an example.

Soul: Oh! Look. A girl has been hit by vehicle, have a look.
Body: Come on! Why should I seek trouble in such useless matter?
Soul: Ash! You are such a heartless person. Well, at least help her in reaching hospital.
Body: What are you saying! I am getting late for work.
Soul: Wait! At least lift her up.
Body: Oh ho! Such a waste of time. There are so many. They will help her.
Soul: wait!
Body: Do it yourselves.
Soul: Wait!
Body: Oh god!

SPRITUAL MEANING OF LAMTAI-THANGJA

Thus, human beings are sometimes turned into 'animals' when the thought is controlled by the desire of body. And sometimes, they are turned into god when thought controls over the desire of body. At the end, let us think and act like a human being and god breaking the evil desire of body, like evil spirits and it is the spiritual meaning of Lamtai-Thangja.

REFFERENCES:

Lanta-tha: December Month (March Month)
Lamtai-Thangja: December Saturday (March Saturday) Eebudhou: Ethics Superlative God
Amaiba-Amaibi: Ethics seer