TODAY -

Discovery of Kangleipak
- Part 18 -
- What is a Puya? -

Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen *



What is a Puya?

Generally the peoples of Kangleipak do not know what is a puya; the problem is further worsened by the interference of some peoples for their partisan ends to mislead the peoples of Kangleipak. A puya is a hand-written document written thousands years before Christ, about the origin of Mankind, the Creation theory of the Meetei Race, Origin of the Kanglei Meetei 18 scripts, solar system, astronomy, Astrology etc, about the cosmos and its origin etc etc.

The Meetei Race had many 'Lailiks', which we generally call books now a days. We had lailik (lairik), hand written documents in all spares of life. We had Polpilang (not Pombilang or Ponbilang) about life and death; we had Kham-oi Yang-oi Sekning (about re-birth and continuities of life); Wachetlon Pathup (Secrets of life and death).

But these hand-written documents, Kanglei Meetei scriptures and many more than scriptures, which the ancient Kanglei Meetei Race generally called Puyas, were reduced to ashes in 18th Century CE since the days of Pamheiba Garivaniwaz completely destroying the Relics and Evidences of an Early Civilization on the Earth.

Now we have some secretly copied puyas just before the burning of puyas (Puya Meithaba) during the reign of Pamheiba Garivaniwaz. In one of the puyas we had in hand, Wakoklon Heelel Thilel Salai Ama-Ilon Pukok, which was declared as most ancient and sacred puya of the meetei race in 2009, says in the beginning of the puya as under :
"Amati Chak Mali Asiki Manungta Oingamlakpa Kayaki Malanpu Apoi Nana
Macha Maichoupu Wali Lipi-o Haina LEIPAK Miyamki Ningthouna| Maichou Maliki
Amati Apoi Nana Machaki Maphamta Wakatcheiye||

Nana Maichouna Wali Liye – Chakpalam Macha Michouna Laiki Chei Thapiye||
Atuka Maichou Ahumsu Tapiyo||"


This puya was narrated by Apoi Nana Macha Maichou to other four Maichous – Chakpalam Macha Maichou, Luwangcham Macha Maichou, Wahingpam Macha Maichou, Chinkangpam Macha Maichou along with King Mungyangpa (Mungyamba of the Cheitharol Kumbaba?) and his peoples of Kangleipak at Paotak Hiten on the Bank of Imphal River in the East of present Imphal Kangla. The puya was written by Chakpalam Macha Maichou as narrated by Apoi Nana Macha Maichou.

In the Kham-oi Yang-oi Sekning Puya, in the last lines of the puya, the following is written :
"Lailik asiki ichelpu leipak miyamne,
khakempa Ningthoune Pumnamakki maphamta Apoi Nana Macha Maichouna Wali Lilaka Chakpalam Macha Maichouna
laiki Chei Thatuna Ikhipane||
Lailik Asipu Lailapa Mishingto Sipa Masak Khangloitane Khangpio||
"

In the Wachetlonn Pathup Puya in the last lines the following are written:
"Lailik Asiti Salai Talepki Ahan Talepna Langkonta Luwang Ningthou Punsipaki
Maphamta Wachetlon Pathupu Khakpa Leitana Apoi Nana Maichouna Mapuki Likhun
Malampu Ahan Talukki Maphamta Lipane|| Punsilokta Langkon Lukhoi na Laiki Cheipu Thana Ichapane||o||"


As we find as a certain written evidence, that puyas were written before the Advent of Hinduism before Charairongba King; in writing a Puya, Puya Expert Maichous were involved; in writing a puya, the King was involved; in writing a puya generally other peoples of Kangleipak were involved.

After the advent of Hinduism, when the Hindu Mayang Gurus like Santi Das Gossai, Vaskar etc. became the overall controllers of Religious Affairs, Royal Library, even Military Affairs etc. in the Kingdom of Hindu Kings, can there be any circumstances, situations for narrating, hearing, writing a Puya? The answer is a very definite 'No'.

Puya means Puya = Pu + Ya = Pu means ancient kanglei ancestors represented by Maichous + Ya means Yanaba further means consented, agreed by the Maichous, Kings of Kangleipak. It does not mean Lairiks (Books), handwritten or anything left by ancestors before present.

Therefore, every Puya is a pre-Hinduism in Kangleipak, and further as a corollary, the puya must be written in Kanglei Original 18 alphabets. And as a further corollary those handwritten documents written in 35/36 alphabets claimed to be puyas are not Kanglei Puyas, may be Hindu Purans; as we are very sure that 35/36 alphabets are introduced in place of 18 alphabets since the advent of Hinduism in 18th century CE.

Most probably, the Readers might have known what is a Puya from the foregoing paras.

Now the writer will draw Readers' attention to 'WHAT IS NOT A PUYA' Now we have in the Market hundreds of handwritten books in the name of 'Puya'. But these are not ancient Kanglei Puyas, but fabricated books/documents in the name Puyas to mislead the present and future Kanglei generations.

The writer will give some fabricated books in the names of Puyas (Printed in Bengali alphabets):
1. Ponbi-lang by N. Manijao, Sahitya Siromani.
Hung Hung Athingkok, koupru koupru shi mari
chak karasi, chak kumpang malem


These two lines are the first two lines of the book mentioned above. The writer of the book claims that the book Ponbi-lang is copied from a book written in meitei alphabets long long ago. This is a clear example of a fabricated book. The first symbol Anji is a sanskrit symbol and Anji is a sanskrit word. In the two lines more than 50% of the words are not Kanglei words.

2. Khanggoi yanggoi shekning by (late) Pebam Ibomcha.

In the name of real Kanglei Puya Kham-oi Yang-oi Sekning (Death and Birth) a book called Khang-Ngoi Yang-Ngoi Sekning is fabricated and circulated among the Kangleichas. This Khang-Ngoi Yang-Ngoi Sekning is a good example of a fabricated book by the name itself. The book contains words like 'Guru', 'Kuru', 'Shri Hari' etc.

From these two examples of books flooded in the market by now, it may be very clear that any book handwriting or printed in the 35/36 'Meitei' alphabets containing 'Anji' and any known sanskrit or Hindu words are fabricated books in the names of Kanglei puyas.

Any book containing the phrase 'Meina wai tangna sam' is also a fabricated book. 'Meina wai tangna sam' means 'After Burning (of the Puya), it is written (in the model of Hindu's).

The writer humbly feels that this short article will clear the difference between a Puya and a fabricated so called Puya. The essential element in the Puya is that in writing a Puya, the presence of Maichous, the experts and High Intellectual and Learned Personnels of the Kingdom are necessary. In the above examples of Puyas, in writing WACHETLON PATHUP, seven Maichous including Apoi Nana Macha Maichou are involved.

In writing Kham-oi Yang-oi Sekning clearly two Maichous names are openly indicated. In writing Wakoklon Heelel Thilal Salai Ama-Ilon, 5 maichous are involved. But in writing Khangoi Yangoi Sekning, no writer etc is mentioned. In writing the so called Puya Panthoibi Naherol by Shri Naorem Amuyaima Singh, Pandit Achou Sana Konung, no Maichou of Kangleipak is involved.

In this way, there is a very clear dividing line between a Puya and a so called Puya.

to be continued...




* Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen contributes regularly to e-pao.net . The writer is President, Kangleipak Historical and Cultural Research Centre, Sagolband Thangjam Leirak, Imphal, Kangleipak (Manipur). The writer can be contacted at chingtamlen(at)gmail(dot)com
This article was webcasted on February 17, 2010.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #2 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Imagi Sorat :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Daily Habits & Mindsets of High Achievers
  • Coerced legislators' resignations
  • Right wing policies threaten gender equality
  • The fall of the AAP
  • Moving fast but to which direction
  • Onus on centre to restore order in state
  • 5 flowering plants newly recorded
  • Kangleipak's Unwavering Soul :: Poem
  • Make books & newspapers your companions
  • Pulses for a diverse agriculture
  • Exam warriors redefined
  • Sheeba Chaddha at Guwahati Asian Film Fest
  • Resignation of CM sinking in
  • Resignation unlikely to help restore normalcy
  • Manipur Statehood Day @ 1st MR : Gallery
  • Mahakumbh : Not just a religious gathering
  • Nepal with largest pictorial health warnings
  • Is war profitable market for arms manufacturer
  • Our CM & party resurrected BJP in Delhi
  • Assamese Play 'Comfort Women'
  • Reading into the resignation reality
  • No stormy session for now
  • Tarao Harvesting Fest @Chandel #6 : Gallery
  • Talheibi, Ningchui, Loyalakpa : eMing
  • 'Vande Bharat' Dream
  • NSS Orientation Programme at MU
  • The influence of the Golden Triangle
  • The Power of Poppy - 68 :: Poem
  • Prasanna Vithanage at Guwahati Film Fest
  • Md Alimuddin, celebrated Sagol Kangjei player
  • Condemnation of Armed Football Match
  • Webinar: KM3NeT Mediterranean experiment
  • Redefining Cancer care: People-centered
  • How thought leadership can propel your career
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #3
  • Guwahati Asian Film Fest : Day 1
  • Of guns and football
  • Armed men playing football, taunting Govt
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Epom Amadei Ithak - A theatrical revisit
  • Economy of the dynamic global landscape
  • Is the Bhagavad Gita relevant today ?
  • Healthy hair in Winter
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025
  • From the battlefields to Delhi
  • Speculations on replacement of Chief Minister
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet