Por Sala Tan

PST07 Ganha Chali Por Sala Tan 3cm Mainstream Artifact Individual Craftsmanship Each piece was individually cast and subsequently prepared by hand. Natural differences in the old alloy, casting surface, Sai Sin, Si Peng and takrut placement make every example unique. Personal Experiences Shared by Luksits One particularly relevant account came from a female follower of Por Sala Tan who was working in the city. She carried the Ganha Chali in her everyday professional life and noticed that relationships around her seemed to become considerably smoother. According to her experience, when she spoke, people were more willing to listen. When she needed assistance, colleagues seemed more willing to help, and she found it easier to maintain good relationships with people around the office. What stood out to her was not an aggressive form of authority. She did not describe forcing others to accept her views. Instead, she felt that people became more receptive and naturally willing to cooperate. This reflects the traditional character of Ganha Chali particularly well. It is fundamentally a Metta Maha Niyom piece — seeking favourable treatment through affection, sympathy and goodwill rather than through intimidation. Summary The Ganha Chali of Por Sala Tan is principally a sacred object for Metta Maha Niyom — mercy, charm, popularity and universal goodwill. The figures represent the two children from the Vessantara Jataka: Chali, the elder brother, and Ganha, or Ganhajina, his younger sister. Although the pair are popularly called Ganha Chali in Thailand, their order in the Buddhist narrative is actually Chali followed by Ganha, as Chali is the elder sibling. Por Sala Tan cast these images from old brass and sacred alloy using the traditional Lor Bolan method, before adding Sai Sin coated with Metta Si Peng and a takrut intended to strengthen popularity. The resulting artifact is traditionally carried for good relationships, assistance from others, persuasive communication, popularity, family harmony and the softening of people's hearts. Historical Background Ganha and Chali belong to one of the best-known episodes of the Vessantara Jataka, the story of Prince Vessantara, regarded in Buddhist tradition as a previous life of the Buddha. They were the children of Prince Vessantara and Princess Maddi. Chali was the elder son, while Ganha — more fully Ganhajina — was the younger daughter. Their story appears most prominently in the emotionally powerful episode in which the elderly Brahmin Jujaka asks Vessantara to give him the two children. Vessantara's decision forms part of his fulfilment of Dana Parami, the perfection of generosity. The suffering and eventual reunion of the children with their family became one of the most memorable portions of the Vessantara narrative. Within Thai religious culture, the two children consequently came to embody qualities such as family affection, patience, sympathy, devotion and the ability to awaken compassion in others. It is these gentler qualities that help explain their later association with Metta Maha Niyom sacred objects. Origins of the Materials The body of the artifact was cast from old brass and mixed sacred alloys. Some material was donated by villagers, while other metal came from temples. By combining older materials rather than relying entirely upon new metal, each casting inherited a physical connection with objects that had already existed within religious and community settings. The metals were melted and poured according to the traditional Lor Bolan casting method. After casting, Sai Sin was tied across the image. Por Sala Tan then coated the Sai Sin with Metta Si Peng, a prepared substance associated particularly with charm, affection and favourable responses from others. A takrut for popularity was attached to the reverse, completing the Metta-oriented construction. Ritual The preparation began with the collection of old brass and sacred alloys contributed by villagers and temples. These metals were melted together before the figures of Ganha and Chali were formed using traditional Lor Bolan casting. After the casting had been completed, Por Sala Tan performed the additional Metta preparation. Sai Sin was tied across the figures and treated with Metta Si Peng. A specially prepared takrut was then incorporated to strengthen popularity, favourable attention and Maha Niyom. A traditional invocation associated with Ganha and Chali begins by paying homage with Namo three times, followed by calling upon Chali and Ganha and reciting the relevant kata. Within folk practice, devotees may repeat the kata when seeking communication, assistance or fulfilment of a sincere request. The emphasis of the completed artifact remains distinctly gentle: drawing compassion and cooperation rather than imposing control. Blessings and Effects The principal quality is Metta Maha Niyom — encouraging kindness, sympathy and favourable treatment from those encountered in everyday life. The piece is traditionally associated with popularity, particularly where success depends upon people liking, trusting or supporting the bearer. It is also carried for communication and persuasion. In a modern setting, this can relate to having one's ideas heard during meetings, receiving cooperation from colleagues or finding that conversations proceed with less resistance. Another traditional association is support from benefactors and helpful people. Rather than representing sudden wealth by itself, Ganha Chali is often understood as helping through human relationships — someone offers assistance, provides an introduction or becomes willing to support an opportunity. For families, the image is associated with affection, harmony and protection of children and loved ones. Its prosperity aspect therefore develops primarily through Metta, relationships and goodwill. Modern Application Ganha Chali is particularly well suited to contemporary working life because its qualities are fundamentally interpersonal. For office workers, it may traditionally be carried for better relationships with colleagues, smoother communication with management and receiving assistance when needed. Those working in sales or customer-facing roles may value its Metta Maha Niyom qualities for building rapport, repeat customers and long-term relationships. Managers may approach the piece somewhat differently. Rather than Maha Amnaj or forceful authority, Ganha Chali represents leadership through goodwill — people cooperating because they respect and feel comfortable with the person speaking. It is equally appropriate for teachers, service professionals and anyone whose work depends heavily upon communication and relationships. Physical Details A traditional Lor Bolan cast Ganha Chali image, formed from a mixture of old brass and sacred alloys donated by villagers and sourced from temples. The front depicts the two children standing closely together, while the aged casting retains the natural irregularities and warm patina characteristic of older-style casting. Sai Sin coated with Metta Si Peng is tied across the figures, while the reverse carries an additional takrut prepared to strengthen popularity and Metta Maha Niyom. The completed artifact is preserved within a clear protective casing. Recommended Pairing Because Ganha Chali is predominantly a Metta Maha Niyom artifact, it pairs naturally with a Buddha or respected monk amulet associated with Baramee, Metta and protection. For business use, it may also be paired with Nang Kwak or Maha Pokasap wicha, particularly where customer relationships and repeat business are important. Traditionally, however, some practitioners advise against keeping or wearing Ganha Chali together with Chuchok sacred objects. This comes from folk belief surrounding their opposing roles in the Vessantara story, where Chuchok was the Brahmin who took the two children away. Stories are sometimes told of the objects becoming separated or falling when kept together. This should be understood as a traditional practitioner belief rather than a physical rule. Personal Notes One detail worth preserving is the question of the name itself. The sacred pair is commonly called "Ganha Chali", and this order has become deeply established in everyday Thai usage. However, within the Vessantara story, Chali is actually the elder brother and Ganha the younger sister. For collectors, there is no need to correct the familiar name of the artifact. Ganha Chali remains the recognised traditional expression. What is more important is what the pair represents within this particular work by Por Sala Tan. Unlike his tiger, animal-relic or stronger protective pieces, this artifact approaches worldly difficulties from a distinctly gentle direction. The Sai Sin, Metta Si Peng and popularity takrut all reinforce the same underlying principle. The account from the follower working in the city expresses this particularly well: when she spoke, people listened; when she needed assistance, people were willing to help; and relationships within the office remained good. That is perhaps the clearest modern expression of this Ganha Chali — not commanding others through fear, but creating the kind of Metta through which people willingly listen, cooperate and offer their support.