CONSTRUCTION OF THE HEROIC KING ON THE WARRIOR CHARACTERISTIC OF AYUTTHAYA MONARCH IN THE WRITTEN PANEGYRIC VERSE OF KING

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were to analyze the warrior characteristics of the Ayutthaya monarch and to analyze the construction of warrior heroism by considering the data from 5 Kings of the Ayutthaya period which appeared in the king praising literature, namely, King Boromatrailokanat in Lilit Yuanpai, King Naresuan the Great in Lilit Talengpai, King Prasat Thong in the praising of the late king Prasat Thong, King Narai the Great in the glorifying poem of King Narai the Great, and King Tai Sa in the poem Cha Lor Phra Phut Saiyat. The researcher analyzed the royal warrior characteristics from royal military activities and conducted the theory of warrior heroism construction with the cultural context. The results of the study were: 1) There were 3 characteristics of the royal warriors, namely, the royal warrior in the realm of war, the royal warrior in the realm of supporting the military, and the royal warrior in the realm of supporting Buddhism; 2) The construction of a heroic warrior king in a cultural context; four beliefs were found; Devaraja belief, diplomatic customs, performing the royal ceremony and Chakravartin belief. The foregoing beliefs aided in the formation of the 5 kings of the Ayutthaya period, each of whom had unique warrior traits but had the same goal of protecting the country from war in order to keep contentment and harmony in the Kingdom. The royal warrior characteristics were essential to the mental stability and tranquility of the country. The panegyric poems, in addition to recording historical events, were also empirical evidence of the relationship between the kings and the people through various royal duties for the benefit of all citizens.