Invocation in The Elephant Pacification Poems: a Studies on the Forms of Literature and Context

Abstract

This research aims to study on the methodology of Thai balladcomposing, namely, prosody and language used. As well as to study thecontext of sacred items, or referred person, who were being worshiped,within the invocation of the elephant pacification poems. The researcherfinds that these poetry characteristics and language used: Kap Chabang,Inthravichian Chan and Wasantadilok Chan, was influenced by Khmer, Pali,Sanskrit and English. Additionally, Khmer, Pali and Sanskrit were consideredto be sacred language used to communicate with the gods. It also finds thatthere are 3 main elements regarding context of sacred items, or referredperson which consist of: The triple gems in Buddhism, gods and monarchs.Although this composing might contain similar characteristic to other Thailiterature’s invocation, it was differed by some elements from the elephantpacification poems. This draws out the implication and interpretation fromThai poets on the branch of study dealing with elephant (Khotchasat) withinthe invocations, and the elephant pacification poems.