Eulogy of King Narai
Eulogy of King Narai is a poem in Thai, composed during the reign of King Narai (1656–1688). It is a major example of the Thai genre of royal panegyrics. The identity of the author is uncertain. The poem relates the key events of the reign, the king’s power, his palace at Lopburi, the beauties of the forest, and an elephant hunt. Dating and authorship Eulogy of King Narai (), Khlong chaloem phrakiat somdet phra narai maharat, is a poem in Thai. The poem was probably composed in the early 1680s as no event after 1680 is mentioned in the text. As with most old Thai literature, the author is not identified. Some authorities attribute authorship to Luang Si Mahosot, while others including Winai Pongsripian favour Phra Maharatchakhru, a head of the Brahman department, and author of several other poetic works. Significance The royal panegyric is a prominent genre in Thai poetry, possibly influenced by the Praśasti genre in Sanskrit. Praise of the king is a large element in Yuan Phai, a 15th-century war poem. The first work framed and titled specifically as a royal panegyric was the Eulogy of King Prasat Thong about King Narai’s father and predecessor. King Narai (1656–1688) is best known for his involvement with the British and French in the later part of his reign. This poem dates before the climax of that involvement. It portrays Narai as the ruler of a powerful and flourishing Ayutthaya Kingdom. It describes his power stretching in all four directions, the grandeur of his palace at Lopburi, the beauty of the forest, and the excitement of an elephant hunt. Publication and translation The poem was first printed in 1925 on the instigation of Princess Nabhabhorn Prabha (), a daughter of King Mongkut. An English translation by the Thai historian, Dhiravat na Pombejra, was published in 2015. Form The poem has 78 four-line verses composed in khlong si suphap (), the refined version of the khlong form. Synopsis 1: Invocation of the Hindu gods, Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu. 2–15: Important events: receipt of a white elephant; military campaign to Chiang Mai and acquisition of the Phra Phuttha Sihing image; homage from Ava, Champa, Cambodia, and Kedah; suppression of rebellion in Songkhla. 16–25: Description of the royal palace in Lopburi including the Dusit Prasat Hall, Chanthraphisan Hall, gardens, and the piped water system. 26: Happiness of the kingdom ๏สมบูรณ์พูลเกษตรล้วน เกษมสุข สมเสพย์สโมสรสนุก เรื่อยหล้า สำเภาเพียบบรรทุก ทรัพย์มาก มานา สมบัติพัสถานกล้า กลาดด้วยสมภาร ฯ The fields are more bountiful, bringing contentment to all who live together happily throughout the whole kingdom. Junks come filled with various precious goods, people's property and possessions are secure and all prosper through His Majesty's accumulated merit. (v. 26) 27–41: Lyrical description of the king visiting the forest, describing trees, flowers, aquatic life, birds, and animals; allusion to the Than Kasem and Satchaphan Hill, visited on pilgrimages to the Buddha footprint at Phra Phutthabat 42–64: Elephant hunt: initial ceremonies; the king releases a captured cow elephant; corralling a large herd; description of the king’s