Pali and Sanskrit Words in Isan Folktale “The Legend of Phadaeng Nang Ai”

Abstract

The objective of the academic article was to study the Isan folktale “The Legend of Phadaeng Nang Ai,” written by Kittithorn Khotchateep. It was derived from So Phayak’s plot written in a form of Thai octameter poem. So Phayak was a pseudonym of Suttha Sophakul. The Legend of Phadaeng Nang Ai, an Isan folktale in Kumphawapi District, Udon Thani Province, composed of the previous life, the current incarnation, the rocket competition, the white squirrel hunting, he dissolution of Jagita, and battle drumming. The findings of the study revealed that the Legend of Phadaeng Nang Ai reflected the Buddhist beliefs as a result from  several ancient beliefs of Lan Xang people, which were considered from eleven types of Pali and Sanskrit words, namely, 1) the Buddhist terms like Boon and Bab, 2) the royal terms like Khattiya in Pali (king) and Aishawan in Sanskrit (kingship), 3) the natural and environmental terms like Thorani (land or Dharani in Sanskrit) and Phueksa (tree/flora or Vriksha in Sanskrit), 4) the terms on time and seasons like Ratri (night) and Sonthaya (sundown or sunset or Sandhaya in Sanskrit), 5) the terms on the human body and organs like Nasika (nose) and Phak (face or Vaktra in Sanskrit), 6) the terms on animals like Kunchorn (elephant or Kunjara in Pali) and Phuchong (serpent or Phujanga in Pali), 7) the terms on the abstract things like Panya (wisdom or Panya in Pali) and Arom (feeling or Aramana in Pali), 8) the terms used to call women like Kanya (girl)and Kamon (darling or Kamala in Pali, 9) the terms used to call kinsmen like Anucha (younger brother or Anuja in Pali) and Chettha (elder brother or Jettha in Pali), 10) the terms on things like Kanchana (gold or Kancana in Pali) and Thanu (arrow), and 11) the terms on verbs like Akhat (feud or Aghata in Pali) and Athitthan (firm intention or Adhitthana in Pali).