Among the Thai Pantheon: Worshipping King Naresuan’s Victory in Elephant Duel

Authors

  • Matthew Kosuta College of Religious Studies, Mahidol University

Keywords:

Naresuan, Animism, Commemorations

Abstract

This study covers the religious aspects of governmental and independent commemorations, rituals and beliefs, surrounding the worship of King Naresuan and his greatest military achievement, his victory in elephant duel over the Burmese crown prince in January 1593. In Thai culture kingship is a semi-divine state and after death the greatest kings are remembered for their historical achievements but they are also believed to have supernatural power to intercede for the benefit of people who ask for their aid by performing rituals of paying respects, giving offerings and the promise of future gifts. Thus the most famous Thai kings have both a historical-political memory and influence and an equally important concurrent supernatural influence. The article first describes religious aspects of official governmental commemorations and of Thai civil society. It then enters into a discussion on what this religious worship of a king’s military victory says about Thai religious culture and where it is placed in relation to current scholarship on Thai religion, especially in relation to Thai royalty. This discussion leads to the conclusion that previous scholarship on Thai religion needs reclassification and standardization.

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Published

23-06-2020

How to Cite

Kosuta, M. (2020). Among the Thai Pantheon: Worshipping King Naresuan’s Victory in Elephant Duel. Humanities and Social Sciences Journal of Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, 14(2), 623–637. Retrieved from https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/GraduatePSRU/article/view/241245

Issue

Section

Research Article