Goutamkumar Oinam (Public Domain)
Salailen — Meitei God of the Sky
Salailen, also known by the names Soraren or Atiya, is revered as the divine ruler of the heavens, the monarch of the gods, and the ultimate architect of the cosmos in the classical Meitei mythology, which is the traditional lore of ancient Kangleipak civilisation (early Manipur), and within the Sanamahism religion.
He stands as one of the original primordial deities, a towering presence in the mythological pantheon. Commonly hailed as the "Father of Gods and Men," he is the celestial deity who wields dominion over lightning and thunder.
Goutamkumar Oinam (Public Domain)
Salailen is the sovereign of Heaven, known as Lai-Leipak, the celestial realm that serves as the dwelling place for the majority of deities. In this divine domain, he presides over the world and exercises his authority over both gods and mortals.
Consorts:
Salailen is accompanied by a diverse array of consorts, encompassing both goddesses and mortal beings. Among his divine partners are goddesses such as Leimarel Sidabi, Tampha Lairembi, Nong Leima, among others.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Goutamkumar Oinam (Public Domain)
Salailen, as the monarch of the divine realm and seated upon the universal throne, was held in high esteem by all. When mortal kings welcomed a new son into their lineage, they would signal to the deity by playing a great horn instrument, its sound ascending towards the heavens.
Cults, Pantheons & Culture:
Salailen stands as the quintessential representation of Sanamahism, the venerable Meitei faith of yore. He is adorned with numerous epithets, each underscoring the breadth and depth of his extensive dominion.
Goutamkumar Oinam (Public Domain)
Among his many titles, Salailen is known as Nong Ningthou, the Administrator of Heaven; Chingu Ningthou, the Sovereign of the Gods; Lai Ningthou Salailen, the Divine Emperor; Awang Pakhang Yoilelpa, the Celestial Handsome Lad; Lai Awangba, the God of the Highest Order; Khakpa Ningthou, the Thunderbolt Wielder; and Chingu Panchumpa, the Deity with Flawless Aim. Each epithet reflects a different aspect of his supreme authority and revered status.
Appearance & Personality:
Ancient Meitei texts describe Salailen as a sagacious, equitable, judicious, benevolent, and comely deity. His temperament is said to be the source of inclement weather and torrential rains, which bring about turmoil on the earthly realm.
Goutamkumar Oinam (Public Domain)
He was known for his swift affections and had romantic entanglements with numerous ladies, encompassing both divine beings and mortals alike.
Equivalences:
Salailen is comparable to a host of deities across various mythologies: he is akin to Uranus and Cronus in Greek lore, Saturn and Jupiter in Roman tales, Shangdi (or Shangti) and Tian in Chinese traditions, Izanagi in Japanese myths, Thor and Odin in Norse sagas, Perun in Slavic legends, Ra in Egyptian stories, Indra and Vishnu in Hindu scriptures, Dyaus Pater in Vedic texts, and even to some extent with the God of the Abrahamic faiths. Each of these figures shares similarities with Salailen, reflecting his widespread influence and significance in the pantheon of gods.
Goutamkumar Oinam (Public Domain)
Special Notes:
* In linguistic, ethnic as well as cultural aspects, Meitei is synonymous with Meetei, Mitei, Meithei, Manipuri, Kanglei, Poirei, etc.
* Traditional Meitei ethnic religion is also known as Sanamahism (or Sanamahi religion), Sannamahism (or Sannamahi religion), Lainingthouism (or Lainingthou religion), Kangleism, Meiteism, Meeteism, Miteism, Meitheism, Manipurism, etc.
* In religious aspect, a believer or a follower or a theologist of the traditional Meitei religion is known as Sanamahist, Sannamahist, Lainingthouist, Kangleist, Meiteist, Meeteist, Miteist, Meitheist, Manipurist, etc.
* Ancient land of the Meitei speaking people (alias Manipuri speaking people) is known as Kangleipak, Meiteileipak, Meeteileipak, Miteileipak, Meiteileibak, Meeteileibak, Miteileibak, Meitrabak, Poireilam, Tilli Koktong, Leikoilel, Leikoilen, Sanaleipak, Sanaleibak, Sannaleipak, Sannaleibak, etc. In present day, most of its parts is located in what we now call Manipur state, with few others in the state's neighboring places.
* In English terms, the Meitei realm is also known as Meiteidom, Meeteidom, Miteidom, Meitheidom, Manipuridom, Kangleidom, Meiteisphere, Meeteisphere, Miteisphere, Meitheisphere, Manipurisphere, Kangleisphere, etc.
