Khru Pakam Myth: The Tales of the Origination of Things and Tamra Phruetthibat

Abstract

This purpose of this article is to study the content appearing in Khru Pakam myths, beginning by surveying 60 ancient original manuscripts in the Tamra Khotchakam (Elephants Studies) section of the National Library. A manuscript containing a Khru Pakam myth was found, appearing in the book named Tamra Khotchakam (document number 109, sheaf 12). After that, the ancient Thai language was transliterated to current Thai language, and then the origins or provenances were studied as they appeared in the ancient manuscript, including connections to the Tamra Phruetthebat and 20 Avatars of Vishnu myths.

It was found that the origins or provenances of the Procreating Khru Pakam myth could be categorized under 4 origins: 1) the origin of the procreation of Ekathanta elephant 2) the origin of procreation of sacred things 3) the origin of the Phruetthibat ceremony 4) the origin of all 4 Khru Pakams. In addition, the origin can connect to Tamra Phruetthibat which illustrates how to build the place for Phruetthibat ceremony and how to look for the location to build it too. Moreover, the myth of Khru Pakams origin is based on the 20 Avatars of Vishnu myth of Brahmin. It indicates that Khru Pakam myth which led to Tamra Phruetthibat was truly influenced by belief in Hinduism.