Add MS 12264

Volume 4 of the Thai verse novel SangSinchai. (A similar version is known in Laos and Northeast Thailand as SangSinsai or Sinxay, and in the Mon literary tradition under the title Sangada).

The manuscript is thought to have been brought to the UK via Bengal by Sir John MacGregor Murray in 1797.

Summary:

The text tells of King Senakut and his younger sister, KesonSumontha, who was abducted by the giant Yak Kumphan. The pair later had a daughter,Sri Suphan, whom Yak Kumphan lost in a gamble to the king of serpents (naga).Senakut, distraught by the kidnapping of his sister, became a hermit in theforest where he met seven beautiful maidens who became his consorts. Six ofthem gave birth to sons, but the seventh consort, Pathuma, and her attendantKraison gave birth to two very special sons. Pathuma’s child, Sang Sinchai wasborn in a conch shell and with an ivory bow, and Kraison’s son Sing had theshape of a mythical lion.

The jealous six other consorts plotted to convince the king thatthe two strange sons were a bad omen and he banished them with their mothersfrom the city. Growing up in the forest, the two boys acquired super-humanskills in addition to powers they were born with. One day, the king ordered his other sons to search for Keson Sumontha inthe forest. Being cowards, they looked for Sang Sinchai and Sing and trickedthem into joining the search for their aunt. Sang Sinchai located KesonSumontha, but she told him about her daughter who was married to the serpentking. Sang Sinchai and Sing rescued both women and brought them back to theother six brothers who pushed Sang Sinchai down a water hole before taking thewomen to King Senakut. However, Keson Sumontha left her scarf atthe spot and vowed that should she ever get it back, it meant Sang Sinchai wasstill alive.

Back inKing Senakut’s city, a merchant brought Keson Sumontha’s scarf on his ship. Sheimplored the king to find Sang Sinchai in the forest. Senakut followed her wishand finally invited Sang Sinchai, Sing and their mothers back into the city.Sang Sinchai married Sri Suphan and ascended the throne. Senakut ordered thesix half-brothers and their mothers to become the new king’s servants. Senakut,Keson Sumontha and Pathuma, however, became ascetics.