The Making of Pidta Bangsek Mahaniyom

After much comprehensive studies on the subject matter regarding Pidta Bangsek in earlier articles, most amulet enthusiasts would usually associate this talisman from Kelantan masters as "Pidta Phakhawan" (refer The Amazing World of Pidta) which provides potent harm proof abilities and Kongkrapan Chatri to the wearer. To a certain extent the shape of every Pidta Bangsek will look alike with a full embodiment and both hands covering the face. However, a Pidta Bangsek norm shape and design can easily masquerade a different potent power in generating Metta and Mahaniyom to the wearer. Mahaniyom instills compassion and loving kindness in the  aura of the wearer and the effects receive by the wearer is preferential treatment from surrounding people.

Pidta Bangsek with Mahaniyom purpose can be easily distinguished by knowing the attributes and temperament of the master creator. One such master maker of Pidta Mahaniyom in Kelantan is Luang Phor Uwan or Archan A1. His wood crafted Pidta is generally popular with people in doing sales and businessmen. Although the wood Pidta is very popular among LP Uwan's Pidta collectors, we also came across buffalo horns and bones that are made for different purposes by this Kelantan master. In this exclusive edition we shall take a glimpse into the making of the famous Pidta Bangsek Mahaniyom by Luang Phor Uwan using a very old piece of hard wood from the temple's Ubosot roof.

Presumably Chengal wood as it had withstand the test of time.

This piece of wood from the old Ubosot's roof structure is estimated to be at least 100 years old and can be even older. The old Ubosot was built entirely from wood in the old days and it was already there before LP Uwan was even born. Nobody knows exactly how old this building was because there's no historical record as Wat Kampong Dalam is a very old Buddhist temple estimated to be around 300 years old. But one thing for sure we do know that vibrating resonance of daily Buddhist chanting accumulated throughout those years can embed this piece of wood with mystical power. For this very reason also LP Uwan selected this piece of hard wood to carve out the special Pidta.

Before we go any further, we took several snapshots of the old Ubosot that's undergoing some minor repairs. With permission given we went to take a look inside this old building.

Upon entry at the far end is an altar for prayers. The cozy space inside this dwelling place is made from wood except the center courtyard. Very neat and tidy despite the signs of ageing. A very nostalgic feeling as though one travels back to the past by imagining the life of monks in the old Siamese Kelantan days.

Majority of old building architecture here are similar to traditional Malay kampong houses that are raised up with concrete beams because the annual monsoon flooding is common here in Kelantan. Coming back to the main topic before this batch of special request Pidta can be ready for use and taken home are the remaining last few steps.

An electric drill was used to make a hole onto the solid Pidta.

Each Pidta is taking turns to be drilled by LP Uwan. It seems as though they are eagerly waiting to be invoked with life energy to become "alive" by LP Uwan in the making process. Although these Pidta batch was recently made this year B.E.2555 and is considered new by some fellow collectors, but this is not the case here in my humble opinion. This piece of wood originated from a tree had lived longer than most of us do. It was chopped down to make the Ubosot's roof a hundred years ago. It can be said that the age of these Pidta that was carved out from this old wood is at least a hundred years old. Instead of discarding it away, LP Uwan turned it into a Pidta recently. Hence, the lifespan of the now newly created Pidta is very old so to speak. The older it is, the better it will be as these woods can have "Saksit" energies in holy places for such a long time.  

Writing "Khom" scripts

The katha scroll used by LP Uwan to give life to the Pidta is an ancient Khmer text known as "Khom" - known to be a powerful ancient texts in arcane magical sciences.  This paper scroll acts like a Takrut incantation scroll. There is no surprise that LP Uwan inscribed this type of scripts as most Kelantanese and southerner Thai monks have knowledge of this ancient Khmer texts. The paper scroll are then rolled into smaller pieces and inserted into the Pidta individually.

Inserting the Katha "Khom" scroll into the base of Pidta.

Closer view of the scroll insertion

LP Uwan kept silence throughout the entire process with strong mind concentration. We have to wait patiently for this last few process.  Carving out a piece of this hard wood to form this Pidta is no easy task either. Therefore, very little quantity can be made at any given period of time.

After inserting the Katha scroll, the base is then sealed with glue to permanently retain the scroll inside the Pidta.

Final touches to smooth out the remaining rough edges on each Pidta.

The entire process is coming to the final stage of chanting before these Pidta Mahaniyom can be taken away and follow us home. LP Uwan chanted sacred texts to the Pidta as though like telling them in an alien language that is neither Malay or Thai. A very unique incantation chanting presumably Khmer language. After the chanting LP Uwan blessed us the receiver with holy water.

 

Each and every Pidta is not similar in terms of size as they are all handmade with carving knives and other carpentry hand tools. Some maybe lighter in color depending on the wood grains.  Irregardless of its non-standard sizes, for those who are very familiar with LP Uwan's Pidta will certainly know how to visualize his trademark carving style notably the legs and arms of his Pidta.

The specific katha to be used for these batch of Pidta follows Phra Sivali katha. LP Uwan was kind enough to recite his Sivali katha version for me to jot down and be recited when using this Pidta in my daily work.

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa x 3 Times
Nacaliti Calitina Litinaca Tinacali

The miraculous Venerable Sivali was one of Lord Sakyamuni Gautama Buddha's highly venerated disciple. He was well-known for his Parami in obtaining assistance from all those surrounding e.g. people or angels in terms of food and requisites wherever he goes. Hence, those days whenever our Lord Buddha wish to travel far distances to teach the profound Dhamma, Venerable Sivali will always be requested to follow along the entourage of monks. All travelling monks will never go hungry or lack of supply whenever Venerable Sivali is around.

This highly sought after sacred wood Pidta by LP Uwan had been on my list for personal collection. With this illustration into the making of this Pidta Bangsek Mahaniyom batch from one of Kelantan's great master in the aspect of Mahaniyom, we hope readers will appreciate this intricate arcane knowledge before this art is vanish in the future.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!


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