Sinxay: Renaissance of a Lao-Thai Epic Hero Book PDF, ePub eBook

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Book Descriptions:
Sinxay: Renaissance of a Lao-Thai Epic Hero brings to Western readers a time-honored, legendary, 17th-century story of gallant virtue and astonishing acts of selfless bravery. This is courageously exemplified by Sinxay, born holding a bow, arrows, and a sword.

The retelling of Sinxay is followed by an additional four scholarly chapters explaining the history, literature, religion, and geographical locations associated with Sinxay. Although not an academic book, the authors careful discussion of the Buddhist framing of the text and its literary, artistic and cultural impact, combined with vivid and plentiful illustrations, results in a book of real interest to scholars and students as well to the general reader.

In this updated translation of a Lao-Thai classic, Sinxay sets out on a harrowing journey to liberate Soumountha, beloved sister of his father, Phanya (King) Kousarat. Soumountha, her grace and virtue surpassing those of any other woman in the Pengchan kingdom, is abducted at the beginning of the story by an ogre king named Koumphan, with extraordinary powers from a distant kingdom.

Kousarat is devastated. Deciding temporarily to renounce the throne, he becomes a Buddhist monk, feeling the need to calm his mind. Once achieving equanimity he leaves the kingdom to search for his sister. On his journey and during morning alms in a faraway city, he meets seven beautiful sisters, who later become his wives. The youngest sister, Loun, and his first Queen Chanta, pray to the god Indra, who hears their prayers and chooses three of his sons to go to Earth. Loun gives birth to twins: Sangthong, who has the body of a conch shell, and Sinxay, who is born holding a sword, bow, and arrows. Chanta gives birth to Siho, with the body of a lion and the head of an elephant. Loun s six sisters give birth to normal-looking sons.

Loun and Chanta and their sons are banished from the palace because of the babies strange appearance. Indra seeing their hardships while trying to struggle to survive in the forest builds a small palace for them where the three brothers grow in strength and splendor.

Meanwhile, Sinxay's six half-brothers grow up in the palace, deceitful and dishonest. After Kousarat requests they rescue Soumountha, the six brothers leave the palace, and after many misadventures, eventually meet Sinxay. It s then they trick him into believing the king chose Sinxay to be the one to rescue Soumountha. Embarking on an arduous quest, Sinxay eventually rescues her. This leads to two battles against the ogres, and in the second battle Koumphan is killed.

As they are returning to the king s palace, Sinxay s six brothers push him over a waterfall, eager to take sole credit for rescuing Soumountha. But unknown to all, Indra descends from the heavens and brings Sinxay back to life.

The king eventually learns the truth and the six brothers are put in jail. The king leaves to search for Sinxay, and after being reunited, Sinxay returns to become king. Shortly thereafter the heavenly ogre king descends to earth and brings Koumphan back to life. Still full of rage, Koumphan travels to Pengchan and abducts Soumountha, and Sinxay.

When Indra sees what has taken place, he descends and counsels Koumphan. Koumphan s anger finally dissipates and he agrees to ask for Soumountha s hand in marriage. Accepting his proposal, they marry, and Koumphan builds a saphanthong, a golden bridge connecting the two kingdoms, a symbol of alliance.

Printed in full color this book is worthy of being on anyone's coffee table. It will be a joy to anyone interested in Southeast Asian history and Buddhism. Just like the golden bridge created at the end of the story, the authors have built a bridge of understanding between cultures.

Sinxay: Renaissance of a Lao-Thai Epic Hero by Peter Whittlesey, Baythong Whittlesey

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