Chora Man Dakini - The Spirit of The Sword

A dancing Dakini

The Patriot team explained that the word Chura comes from Sanskrit Kshurapatnam referring to blade. They also said that Kshura could be an abbreviation of blade later morphed in Chura. The commonly accepted theory for the sword in Malaysia is Blade from Mandakini which the Patriots also agree with. 

I would like to present more evidence that the sword is actually a representation of a Dakini as mentioned in my first article on this topic.

Dakinis are female spirits. They are known in both Hinduism and Buddhism. One aspect of religious practice which is common for both of these two Dharmic religion is Tantra. The word Tantra has its own meaning.

I have previously explained the Hindu point of view in my article. Here is the link

http://sharmalanthevar.blogspot.my/2014/03/tantra-more-than-just-sex.html

Both Hinduism and Buddhism have dozens of common deities. There are also various schools within this two Dharmic religion. The form of Hinduism or Buddhism which we see today may not be exactly the same of what it was 1000 years ago.

Unlike Christianity or Islam which are known as Abrahamic religions, the Dharmic religion is not based on a single book. It evolves and adapts according to the era, people and their culture.

Tantra is a living proof that these two Dharmic religion can be synchronised. 

The sword which the Malays call Chura Si Manja Kini is also known in records as Chura (or Churek) Samanda Kian. Buddhism was once the major religion in Southeast Asia.

In Buddhism, there is a goddess known as Samandabadri. The male version is Samandabadra. Both Samandabadri and Samandabadra are manifestations of Sakthi (Badri) and Shiva (Badra). 

Old records of Perak coronation speaks of guardian spirits. These guardian spirits are now known as Jin. We have to remember that Southeast Asia was not a Muslim region in the past when the sword was brought here. 

Jin is a Islamic concept of supernatural beings which can be harmful or even serve as guardian. In the Dharmic concept, the word used for Jins are Dakini, Muni, Yakshi, Yogini and many more. Some of these words such as Muni and Yogini also have other meanings.

So if we lived 1000 years ago, we won't be using the word Jin in Perak. It is a word introduced to them by the Muslims from Arab. The locals also use words like Mambang, Bentara and Saka. They are also called Saka Baka and Hantu Pusaka which means Old Spirit. 

These spirits which are now called as Jin after Islamization are said to guard or look after families. They are known to help their owner/master gain extraordinary physical strength, public influence, beauty and to instil fear in people's hearts.

These guardian spirits are said to guard not only the Perak state but also the royal family and their regalia. There is a ceremony conducted in the Perak palace known as Tabal Jin. It is for the guardian spirits. There is also a legend that during the ceremony, the sword will shake and try to come out from its cover as though it is alive.

Take a look at the picture below:

Translation: After completing the ritual of sprinkling holy water on the royal regalia and the ruler, the Bunga Panchawa Panchara (Panchara Panchava Flower) is placed on the right ear of the ruler and his consort by the royal shaman, the both then eat the 

The word which I highlighted is Bunga Panchawa Panchara. An ornament/flower which will be placed as mentioned above. Said to originate from Malacca Sultanate.

There is also another thing placed on the right ear of the ruler but it is called Chap Halilintar which means the Lightning Seal. Lightning is also known as Vajra in Sanskrit and Vajra is a common symbol in Buddhism. There is another reason for the Vajra symbol in this seal and I will explain it separately.

The word Panchara or Panjara refers to mantric armour. This could be symbolically represented by the ornament/flower. In Buddhism it is also used in reference to Tantras involving the Dakinis. This is also known as Dakini Vajra Panjara Tantra, Dakini Vajra Panjara Mahatantrajasya Panjika, Dakini Vajra Panjara Mahatantraja Kalpa.

Examine all these points which I highlighted and put them together. It is much more acceptable to conclude that the sword is indeed associated with the Dakini spirit and not the Mandakini river. 

If the sword came from the Mandakini river, then the things which I highlighted above would have not existed. 

The fact that there is more relevance with Dakini is not a mere conincidence.

Some reference for your own reading:


History of Perak (1934)
Shaman, Saiva and Sufi (1925)
The Perak Genies(1929)

by R.O Winsted

This is the first article in the series. In my next post, I will deal about the genealogy of kings mentioned in Malay Annals, Alexander the Great, and few other things.