Kounu: Difference between revisions

Kounu
Kounu
Guardian Goddess of North ; Goddess of the snows of the far north
Member of Maikei Ngaakpa Lais
	"Kounu", the name of the goddess, written in archaic Meetei Mayek abugida
Other names	Kounoo
Affiliation	Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Major cult center	Mount Kounu and Mount Koubru
Abodes	Mount Kounu and Mount Koubru
Gender	Female
Region	Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur)
Ethnic group	Meitei ethnicity
Festivals	Lai Haraoba
Personal information
Consort	Koupalu (Koubru)
Children	Loyalakpa, Thoudu Nungthel Leima

Latest revision as of 14:10, 27 June 2022

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Template:Infobox Sanamahist term

Template:Sanamahism Kounu is a goddess in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur). She is a consort of God Koupalu.^[1]^[2] She is the guardian of the northern direction.^[3] Kounu has two homes. Her main home is on Mount Kounu. Her other home is in Mount Koubru, which is where her husband Koupalu (Koubru) lives.^[1] She is worshipped with Koubru as the deities of the Khullakpa (village chief).^[4] Kounu and Koubru ruled Ancient Manipur for a very long time after the reign of King Ningthou Puthiba.^[5]

She dwells in the snows of the far north and she is also known as Kongthem.^[6]^[7]

DescriptionEdit

Kounu is one of the deities who change climate and weather. Her husband Koupalu and her son Loyalakpa are also weather deities. Meitei people believe that if the annual rainfall is good, then it is caused by goddess Kounu. When goddess Kounu changes the climate, there will be hardly any flood. Crop yields are good in Kounu's activities.^[3]

MythologyEdit

Love and marriage proposalEdit

Kounu met God Koupalu for the first time when she was searching for cotton plants in the western slopes of Mount Koubru. The two fell in love at first sight. Kounu asked Koupalu to bring her all kinds of fruit for the marriage proposal. She said she would not agree to marry him if he failed to do so. So, on a Saturday, God Koupalu had a meeting with all the gods and goddesses of hills and plains. They all prepared for fruits of all sorts. They planned to proceed to the marriage proposal on the next day, Sunday.^[8]

On the next day's before sunrise, goddesses brought the fruits to Kounu's place. Male gods also came with Koupalu to the place. The gods found two fruits missing, heikru (Indian gooseberry, Phyllanthus emblica) and Heining. Then, Kounu rejected the marriage proposal. At this, Koupalu told her that she would have a daughter because she had gotten pregnant the last time they had met.^[9] Then the other male gods got angry because of Kounu's excessively reserved marriage proposal conditions while she was already conceived. They put a curse on Kounu's baby, saying she would be born on a stone slab on the baby's next incarnation. The goddesses were about to curse the baby to be turned into flower during birth, but they didn't as Kounu had been punished enough. Feeling embarrassed, Kounu also cursed that all the gifts to be turned into stones on the very sunrise. Soon, as the sun rose up, all the gifts turned into stones.^[10]

Birth of Leisna - Cursed baby's very birthEdit

Kounu gave birth to a daughter named "Leisna" (Laisna, Leisana, Laisana). When her daughter grew up, she asked Kounu about her father, and Kounu told her. Leisna asked to go to her father's place to meet him. Kounu let her go. On her way, Leisna met Pakhangba.^[11] They became lovers. Later, they married. Since Leisna was a mortal, she died when her time of death came.^[12]

Adoption of Thoudu Nungthel Leima - Cursed baby's next incarnationEdit

Goddess Kounu and God Koupalu lived together. Once goddess Leimarel Sidabi decided to incarnate herself as the daughter of the two. So, Leimarel incarnated herself into a baby infant girl. On the very day, Kounu and Koupalu were walking on a hilly region. God Koubru got very thirsty. He found Kounu's pitcher empty. Unable to bear his thirst, he went down the riverside to drink water. Surprisingly, he found a newly born girl lying on a stone slab of the river bed. Koupalu shouted three times if there was anyone for the baby girl. No one responded. So, Koupalu and Kounu brought the girl to their abode.^[13] The two adopted the girl as their own daughter. They gave her three names. The baby was named "Ipok Leima" ("Eepok Leima") because she was found in the stream. The baby was also named Thoudu Nungthel Leima because she was found lying on the stone slab. The baby was given her final name as "Taipang Nganpi" ("Taibang Nganbi") because she was beautiful as well as bright.^[14]

Kounu and LoyalakpaEdit

Once Kounu was asked by her son Loyalakpa about the true origin of Thoudu Nungthel Leima. Loyalakpa was suspicious if Thoudu Nungthel Leima was really his real sister or not. Koupalu had already warned Kounu not to reveal the secret of Thoudu Nungthel Leima to their son. So, at first, Kounu lied to him.^[15] But at Loyalakpa's grudge, she decided to tell him the truth. But since both Mother Kounu and Son Loyalakpa were at Koupalu's abode, she dared not to speak anything about it. She feared Koupalu might heard of it. With permission from Koupalu, Kounu and her son Loyalakpa went to her abode. It was the safe place to reveal the truth.^[16] Kounu narrated Loyalakpa how she and Koupalu found Thoudu Nungthel Leima lying on a stone slab in the river. She revealed that Thoudu Nungthel Leima was actually their adopted daughter and not real by birth.^[17] Later, Kounu's son Loyalakpa and Kounu's adopted daughter Thoudu Nungthel Leima married.^[18]

Cults and shrinesEdit

Goddess Kounu and her husband God Koupalu are worshipped in many cults and shrines of Manipur. Some are located in Mayang Langjing, Awang Khunnou, Senjam, Chirang, Loitang Khunnou, Tingri, Koutruk, Awang Potsangbam, Sairem Khul, Kameng, Sarouthel, Lairel Sajik, Lairel Kaabi, Heibongpokpi, Nongchup Sanjenbam, Tauthong, Haorang Keithel, Haorang Saabal, Kwak Siphai, Narelkonjin, Thamnapokpi, Awang Sekmai, Leimram, Phumlou Keiroi, Phumlou Siphai, Potsangbam Thouriphi, Samushang, Keinou Thongthak, Khonghampat, Akham, Morok Ingkhol, Lambaal Khul, Phayeng, Haujongban, Awang Keingam, Khurkhul and Leikinthabi.^[3]^[19] According to Meitei culture, Goddess Kounu and God Koupalu are the protectress and the protector of the said places.^[19] In the village of Senjan Chirang in Manipur, there is a pantheon of the goddess as "Ebendhou Kounu Lairembi Lai Haraofam".^[20]

ReferencesEdit

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Ibemhal, Thounaojam Chanu (2000). Haoreima Shambubi (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 222.
↑ Neelabi, sairem (2006). Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 42.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 Neelabi, sairem (2006). Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 46.
↑ Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
↑ Tensuba, Keerti Chand (1993). Genesis of Indian Tribes: An Approach to the History of Meiteis and Thais. Inter-India Publications. ISBN 978-81-210-0308-7.
↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini (July 20, 1997). The Pleasing of the Gods: Meitei Lai Haraoba. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN 9788125904168 – via Google Books.
↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini (July 20, 1997). The Pleasing of the Gods: Meitei Lai Haraoba. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN 9788125904168 – via Google Books.
↑ Mera Singh, Pukhrambam (1974). Ingelei (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 11.
↑ Mera Singh, Pukhrambam (1974). Ingelei (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 12.
↑ Mera Singh, Pukhrambam (1974). Ingelei (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 13.
↑ Mera Singh, Pukhrambam (1974). Ingelei (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 14.
↑ Mera Singh, Pukhrambam (1974). Ingelei (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 36.
↑ Neelabi, sairem (2006). Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 43.
↑ Neelabi, sairem (2006). Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 44.
↑ Irabot Ningthouja (2011). মারজিং খুনথোকলোন (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 125.
↑ Irabot Ningthouja (2011). মারজিং খুনথোকলোন (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 126.
↑ Irabot Ningthouja (2011). মারজিং খুনথোকলোন (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 127.
↑ Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
↑ ^19.0 ^19.1 Neelabi, sairem (2006). Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 47.
↑ Shrine website

Template:Sanamahi1

[Ibemhal_2000_222-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Ibemhal, Thounaojam Chanu (2000). Haoreima Shambubi (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 222.

[2] Neelabi, sairem (2006). Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 42.

[Neelabi_2006_46-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 Neelabi, sairem (2006). Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 46.

[4] Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.

[5] Tensuba, Keerti Chand (1993). Genesis of Indian Tribes: An Approach to the History of Meiteis and Thais. Inter-India Publications. ISBN 978-81-210-0308-7.

[6] Parratt, Saroj Nalini (July 20, 1997). The Pleasing of the Gods: Meitei Lai Haraoba. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN 9788125904168 – via Google Books.

[7] Parratt, Saroj Nalini (July 20, 1997). The Pleasing of the Gods: Meitei Lai Haraoba. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN 9788125904168 – via Google Books.

[8] Mera Singh, Pukhrambam (1974). Ingelei (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 11.

[9] Mera Singh, Pukhrambam (1974). Ingelei (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 12.

[10] Mera Singh, Pukhrambam (1974). Ingelei (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 13.

[11] Mera Singh, Pukhrambam (1974). Ingelei (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 14.

[12] Mera Singh, Pukhrambam (1974). Ingelei (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 36.

[13] Neelabi, sairem (2006). Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 43.

[14] Neelabi, sairem (2006). Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 44.

[15] Irabot Ningthouja (2011). মারজিং খুনথোকলোন (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 125.

[16] Irabot Ningthouja (2011). মারজিং খুনথোকলোন (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 126.

[17] Irabot Ningthouja (2011). মারজিং খুনথোকলোন (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 127.

[18] Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.

[Neelabi_2006_47-19] 19.0 ^19.1 Neelabi, sairem (2006). Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 47.

[20] Shrine website

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''"Kounu"''' ({{lang-mni|ꯀꯧꯅꯨ ꯂꯥꯢꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ}}, {{lang-omp|ꯀꯧꯅꯨ ꯂꯥꯢꯂꯦꯝꯄꯤ}}) is a primordial goddess in [[Meitei mythology]] and [[Meitei religion|religion]]. Legend says she dwells in the kingdom of the snows of far north. She is worshipped with her consort [[Koubru]],<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?redir_esc=y&id=GmZuAAAAMAAJ&dq=kounu+leima&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=kounu+leima+koubru+</ref> as the deities of the '''Khullakpa''' (village chief).<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=tIBymmBWqgsC&pg=PA54&dq=kounu&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=kounu%20deities%20Khullakpa&f=false</ref><ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=tIBymmBWqgsC&pg=PA54&dq=kounu#q=kounu</ref> Kounu and [[Koubru]] ruled [[Ancient Manipur]], after the reign of Ningthou Puthiba.<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=GmZuAAAAMAAJ&q=kounu+leima&dq=kounu+leima</ref>
+{{Short description|Ancient Meitei goddess}}
+{{Contains special characters}}
+{{Under construction}}
+{{Infobox deity
+| type         = Meitei
+| name         = Kounu
+| deity_of     = Guardian Goddess of North <br /> Goddess of the snows of the far north
+| member_of    = [[Maikei Ngaakpa Lai]]s
+| image        = KOUNU.jpg
+| alt          = <!-- for alternate text of the title image per [[WP:ALT]] -->
+| caption      = "Kounu", the name of the goddess, written in archaic Meetei Mayek abugida
+| other_names  = Kounoo
+| hiro         =
+| Old_Norse    =
+| script_name  =
+| script       =
+| affiliation  = [[Meitei mythology]] ([[Manipuri mythology]]) and [[Meitei religion]] ([[Sanamahism]])
+| cult_center  = Mount Kounu and [[Mount Koubru]]
+| abodes        = Mount Kounu and [[Mount Koubru]]
+| planet       = <!-- or | world = -->
+| weapon       = <!-- or | weapons = -->
+| battles      =
+| artifacts    = <!-- or | artefacts = -->
+| animals      =
+| symbol       = <!-- or | symbols = -->
+| adherents    =
+| height       =
+| age          =
+| tree         =
+| day          =
+| color        = <!-- or | colour = -->
+| number       =
+| consort      = [[Koupalu]] ([[Koubru]])
+| parents      =
+| siblings     =
+| children = [[Loyalakpa]], [[Thoudu Nungthel Leima]]
+| predecessor  =
+| successor    =
+| army         =
+| mount        =
+| texts        =
+| gender       = Female
+| Greek_equivalent     =
+| Roman_equivalent     =
+| Etruscan_equivalent  =
+| Christian_equivalent =
+| Slavic_equivalent    =
+| Hinduism_equivalent  =
+| Canaanite_equivalent =
+| equivalent1_type =
+| equivalent1 =
+| equivalent2_type =
+| equivalent2 =
+| region       = [[Ancient Kangleipak]] ([[Antique Manipur]])
+| ethnic_group = [[Meitei ethnicity]]
+| festivals    = [[Lai Haraoba]]
+}}
+{{Infobox Sanamahist term
+| title    = Kounu
+| en       = Kounu
+| omp      = ꯀꯧꯅꯨ ꯂꯥꯢꯂꯦꯝꯄꯤ
+| omp-Latn = kou-noo lai-lem-pee
+| mni      = ꯀꯧꯅꯨ ꯂꯥꯢꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ
+| mni-Latn = kou-noo lai-rem-bee
+| as       = কৌনু লাইৰেম্বী
+| as-Latn  = kou-noo lai-rem-bee
+| bn       = কৌনু লাইরেম্বী
+| bn-Latn  = kou-noo lai-rem-bee
+| my       =
+| my-Latn  =
+| hi       = कौनू / कौनु
+| hi-Latn  = kou-noo
+}}
+{{Meitei mythology}}
+{{Sanamahism}}
+'''Kounu''' is a goddess in [[Meitei mythology]] and [[Meitei religion|religion]] of [[Ancient Kangleipak]] ([[Antique Manipur]]). She is a consort of God [[Koupalu]].<ref name="Ibemhal 2000 222">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.467054/page/n222/mode/2up|title=Haoreima Shambubi|last=Ibemhal|first=Thounaojam Chanu|date=2000|pages=222|language=mni}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466636/page/n42/mode/2up|title=Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul|last=Neelabi|first=sairem|date=2006|pages=42|language=mni}}</ref> She is the guardian of the northern direction.<ref name="Neelabi 2006 46">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466636/page/n46/mode/2up|title=Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul|last=Neelabi|first=sairem|date=2006|pages=46|language=mni}}</ref> Kounu has two homes. Her main home is on Mount Kounu. Her other home is in [[Mount Koubru]], which is where her husband [[Koupalu]] ([[Koubru]]) lives.<ref name="Ibemhal 2000 222"/> She is worshipped with [[Koubru]] as the deities of the ''Khullakpa'' (village chief).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tIBymmBWqgsC&q=kounu+deities+Khullakpa&pg=PA54|title=The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai|last=Devi|first=Lairenlakpam Bino|date=2002|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-7099-849-5|language=en}}</ref> Kounu and [[Koubru]] ruled [[Ancient Manipur]] for a very long time after the reign of King Ningthou Puthiba.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GmZuAAAAMAAJ&q=kounu+leima+koubru+|title=Genesis of Indian Tribes: An Approach to the History of Meiteis and Thais|last=Tensuba|first=Keerti Chand|date=1993|publisher=Inter-India Publications|isbn=978-81-210-0308-7|language=en}}</ref>
-==Bibliography==
+She dwells in the snows of the far north and she is also known as Kongthem.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=COCBAAAAMAAJ&q=kounu+Lairembi|title=The Pleasing of the Gods: Meitei Lai Haraoba|first=Saroj Nalini|last=Parratt|date=July 20, 1997|publisher=Vikas Publishing House|isbn=9788125904168|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=COCBAAAAMAAJ&q=kounu+goddess|title=The Pleasing of the Gods: Meitei Lai Haraoba|first=Saroj Nalini|last=Parratt|date=July 20, 1997|publisher=Vikas Publishing House|isbn=9788125904168|via=Google Books}}</ref>
-* https://books.google.co.in/books?id=tIBymmBWqgsC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Lairenlakpam+Bino+Devi%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwitgLWD5LfvAhVTVH0KHTlgB1UQ6AEwAHoECAAQAw#v=onepage&q&f=false
-==References==
+== Description ==
+Kounu is one of the deities who change [[climate]] and [[weather]]. Her husband [[Koupalu]] and her son [[Loyalakpa]] are also weather deities. [[Meitei people]] believe that if the annual rainfall is good, then it is caused by goddess Kounu. When goddess Kounu changes the climate, there will be hardly any flood. Crop yields are good in Kounu's activities.<ref name="Neelabi 2006 46"/>
+== Mythology ==
+=== Love and marriage proposal ===
+Kounu met God [[Koupalu]] for the first time when she was searching for cotton plants in the western slopes of [[Mount Koubru]]. The two fell in love at first sight. Kounu asked Koupalu to bring her all kinds of fruit for the marriage proposal. She said she would not agree to marry him if he failed to do so. So, on a Saturday, God Koupalu had a meeting with all the gods and goddesses of hills and plains. They all prepared for fruits of all sorts. They planned to proceed to the marriage proposal on the next day, Sunday.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.267436/page/n11/mode/2up|title=Ingelei|last=Mera Singh|first=Pukhrambam|date=1974|pages=11|language=mni}}</ref>
+On the next day's before sunrise, goddesses brought the fruits to Kounu's place. Male gods also came with [[Koupalu]] to the place. The gods found two fruits missing, heikru ([[Indian gooseberry]], ''[[Phyllanthus emblica]]'') and Heining. Then, Kounu rejected the marriage proposal. At this, Koupalu told her that she would have a daughter because she had gotten pregnant the last time they had met.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.267436/page/n12/mode/2up|title=Ingelei|last=Mera Singh|first=Pukhrambam|date=1974|pages=12|language=mni}}</ref> Then the other male gods got angry because of Kounu's excessively reserved marriage proposal conditions while she was already conceived. They put a curse on Kounu's baby, saying she would be born on a stone slab on the baby's next incarnation. The goddesses were about to curse the baby to be turned into flower during birth, but they didn't as Kounu had been punished enough. Feeling embarrassed, Kounu also cursed that all the gifts to be turned into stones on the very sunrise. Soon, as the sun rose up, all the gifts turned into stones.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.267436/page/n13/mode/2up|title=Ingelei|last=Mera Singh|first=Pukhrambam|date=1974|pages=13|language=mni}}</ref>
+=== Birth of Leisna - Cursed baby's very birth ===
+Kounu gave birth to a daughter named "Leisna" (''Laisna, Leisana, Laisana''). When her daughter grew up, she asked Kounu about her father, and Kounu told her. Leisna asked to go to her father's place to meet him. Kounu let her go. On her way, Leisna met [[Pakhangba]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.267436/page/n14/mode/2up|title=Ingelei|last=Mera Singh|first=Pukhrambam|date=1974|pages=14|language=mni}}</ref> They became lovers. Later, they married. Since Leisna was a mortal, she died when her time of death came.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.267436/page/n36/mode/2up|title=Ingelei|last=Mera Singh|first=Pukhrambam|date=1974|pages=36|language=mni}}</ref>
+=== Adoption of Thoudu Nungthel Leima - Cursed baby's next incarnation ===
+Goddess Kounu and God [[Koupalu]] lived together. Once goddess [[Leimarel Sidabi]] decided to incarnate herself as the daughter of the two. So, Leimarel incarnated herself into a baby infant girl. On the very day, Kounu and Koupalu were walking on a hilly region. God Koubru got very thirsty. He found Kounu's pitcher empty. Unable to bear his thirst, he went down the riverside to drink water. Surprisingly, he found a newly born girl lying on a stone slab of the river bed. Koupalu shouted three times if there was anyone for the baby girl. No one responded. So, Koupalu and Kounu brought the girl to their abode.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466636/page/n43/mode/2up|title=Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul|last=Neelabi|first=sairem|date=2006|pages=43|language=mni}}</ref> The two adopted the girl as their own daughter. They gave her three names. The baby was named "Ipok Leima" ("Eepok Leima") because she was found in the stream. The baby was also named [[Thoudu Nungthel Leima]] because she was found lying on the stone slab. The baby was given her final name as "Taipang Nganpi" ("Taibang Nganbi") because she was beautiful as well as bright.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466636/page/n44/mode/2up|title=Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul|last=Neelabi|first=sairem|date=2006|pages=44|language=mni}}</ref>
+=== Kounu and Loyalakpa ===
+Once Kounu was asked by her son [[Loyalakpa]] about the true origin of [[Thoudu Nungthel Leima]]. Loyalakpa was suspicious if Thoudu Nungthel Leima was really his real sister or not. Koupalu had already warned Kounu not to reveal the secret of Thoudu Nungthel Leima to their son. So, at first, Kounu lied to him.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.language.1347/page/n125/mode/2up|title=মারজিং খুনথোকলোন|last=Irabot Ningthouja|date=2011|pages=125|language=mni}}</ref> But at Loyalakpa's grudge, she decided to tell him the truth. But since both Mother Kounu and Son Loyalakpa were at Koupalu's abode, she dared not to speak anything about it. She feared Koupalu might heard of it. With permission from Koupalu, Kounu and her son Loyalakpa went to her abode. It was the safe place to reveal the truth.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.language.1347/page/n126/mode/2up|title=মারজিং খুনথোকলোন|last=Irabot Ningthouja|date=2011|pages=126|language=mni}}</ref> Kounu narrated Loyalakpa how she and Koupalu found Thoudu Nungthel Leima lying on a stone slab in the river. She revealed that Thoudu Nungthel Leima was actually their adopted daughter and not real by birth.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.language.1347/page/n127/mode/2up|title=মারজিং খুনথোকলোন|last=Irabot Ningthouja|date=2011|pages=127|language=mni}}</ref>
+Later, Kounu's son [[Loyalakpa]] and Kounu's adopted daughter [[Thoudu Nungthel Leima]] married.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tIBymmBWqgsC&q=loyarakpa+his+wife+Thoudu+Nungthel+Leima&pg=PA55|title=The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai|last=Devi|first=Lairenlakpam Bino|date=2002|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-7099-849-5|language=en}}</ref>
+== Cults and shrines ==
+Goddess Kounu and her husband God [[Koupalu]] are worshipped in many cults and shrines of [[Manipur]]. Some are located in Mayang Langjing, Awang Khunnou, Senjam, Chirang, Loitang Khunnou, Tingri, Koutruk, Awang Potsangbam, Sairem Khul, Kameng, Sarouthel, Lairel Sajik, Lairel Kaabi, Heibongpokpi, Nongchup Sanjenbam, Tauthong, Haorang Keithel, Haorang Saabal, Kwak Siphai, Narelkonjin, Thamnapokpi, Awang Sekmai, Leimram, Phumlou Keiroi, Phumlou Siphai, Potsangbam Thouriphi, Samushang, Keinou Thongthak, Khonghampat, Akham, Morok Ingkhol, Lambaal Khul, Phayeng, Haujongban, Awang Keingam, Khurkhul and Leikinthabi.<ref name="Neelabi 2006 46"/><ref name="Neelabi 2006 47">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466636/page/n47/mode/2up|title=Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul|last=Neelabi|first=sairem|date=2006|pages=47|language=mni}}</ref>
+According to [[Meitei culture]], Goddess Kounu and God [[Koupalu]] are the protectress and the protector of the said places.<ref name="Neelabi 2006 47"/>
+In the village of Senjan Chirang in Manipur, there is a pantheon of the goddess as "[[Laishang|Ebendhou Kounu Lairembi Lai Haraofam]]".<ref>[https://www.justdial.com/Imphal/Ibendhou-Kounu-Lairembi-Lai-Haraofam-Senjam-Chirang/9999P3852-3852-180529200253-X6P6_BZDET Shrine website]</ref>
+== References ==
+{{Commons}}
+{{Wiktionary|Kounu}}
 {{Reflist}}
+{{Sanamahi1|state=expanded}}
+{{Religion topics}}
+[[Category:Abundance deities]]
+[[Category:Abundance goddesses]]
+[[Category:Agricultural deities]]
+[[Category:Agricultural goddesses]]
+[[Category:Arts deities]]
+[[Category:Arts goddesses]]
+[[Category:Asian deities]]
+[[Category:Asian goddesses]]
+[[Category:Beauty deities]]
+[[Category:Beauty goddesses]]
+[[Category:Crafts deities]]
+[[Category:Crafts goddesses]]
+[[Category:Creator deities]]
+[[Category:Creator goddesses]]
+[[Category:Fertility deities]]
+[[Category:Fertility goddesses]]
+[[Category:Fortune deities]]
+[[Category:Fortune goddesses]]
+[[Category:Guardians of the directions]]
+[[Category:Harvest deities]]
+[[Category:Harvest goddesses]]
+[[Category:Health deities]]
+[[Category:Health goddesses]]
+[[Category:Justice deities]]
+[[Category:Justice goddesses]]
+[[Category:Knowledge deities]]
+[[Category:Knowledge goddesses]]
+[[Category:Leima]]
+[[Category:Love and lust deities]]
+[[Category:Love and lust goddesses]]
+[[Category:Magic deities]]
+[[Category:Magic goddesses]]
+[[Category:Maintenance deities]]
+[[Category:Maintenance goddesses]]
+[[Category:Marriage deities]]
+[[Category:Marriage goddesses]]
 [[Category:Meitei gods and goddesses]]
-{{asia-stub}}
+[[Category:Mountain deities]]
+[[Category:Mountain goddesses]]
+[[Category:Names of God in Sanamahism]]
+[[Category:Nature deities]]
+[[Category:Nature goddesses]]
+[[Category:Peace deities]]
+[[Category:Peace goddesses]]
+[[Category:Rain deities]]
+[[Category:Savior deities]]
+[[Category:Savior goddesses]]
+[[Category:Sky and weather deities]]
+[[Category:Sky and weather goddesses]]
+[[Category:Time and fate deities]]
+[[Category:Time and fate goddesses]]
+[[Category:Trickster deities]]
+[[Category:Trickster goddesses]]
+[[Category:Tutelary deities]]
+[[Category:Tutelary goddesses]]
+[[Category:Wind deities]]
+[[Category:Wind goddesses]]
+[[Category:Wisdom deities]]
+[[Category:Wisdom goddesses]]

Kounu
Guardian Goddess of North Goddess of the snows of the far north
Member of Maikei Ngaakpa Lais
"Kounu", the name of the goddess, written in archaic Meetei Mayek abugida
Other names	Kounoo
Affiliation	Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Major cult center	Mount Kounu and Mount Koubru
Abodes	Mount Kounu and Mount Koubru
Gender	Female
Region	Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur)
Ethnic group	Meitei ethnicity
Festivals	Lai Haraoba
Personal information
Consort	Koupalu (Koubru)
Children	Loyalakpa, Thoudu Nungthel Leima