Page 59 - The Royal Coronation Ceremony

The Royal Purification Ceremony or

“Song Phra Muratha Bhisek”

“Muratha Bhisek” refers to the action of pouring holy water over the
head of the king, called Ablution. This holy water is called the “Muratha Bhisek
Water.” The whole terminology of “Song Phra Muratha Bhisek” means to offer
the sovereignty to a person. According to Brahmanism, before the beginning
of any other ritual procedures of the coronation ceremony, the person must
be purified through the Ablution. The water used for ablution in the Purification
Ceremony will flow out from under a canopied shower head. The sacred water
is a mixture of many sacred waters. These waters come from the five main
rivers in India and also from Thailand. In Thailand, they were collected from
the five important rivers, called the “Bencha Suttha Khongkha,” and from the
four Sacred Ponds. They were combined with purified water taken from various
sacred places within the Royal Kingdom. Also added was the prepared holy
water from the Buddhist Chanting Ceremony of the Phra Paritra Suttas session
from the day before.

For the Purification or the “Song Muratha Bhisek” Ceremony in
the Royal Coronation Ceremony of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Borommanathbobitra (Rama IX), His Majesty sat in the Atha Disa Udumbara
Raja Asana Throne at the pavilion constructed for the Purification Ceremony.
Then the presiding official turned on the shower sending water of purification
over His Majesty for the Ablution. After that, the Supreme Patriarch came forth
to bestow benediction by sprinkling water onto His Majesty the King’s back.
He then presented the Nophakhun Yantra into the hands of His Majesty. This
was followed by Phra Chao Borommawongse Ther Phra Ong Chao Rangsit
Prayurasakdi Krom Khun Jainad Narendra, offering His Majesty holy water from
“Phra Tao Bencha Khap,” or the water vessel, into His Majesty’s hands. Then,
the royal Augur presented the holy water from the nine deities to His Majesty,
who upon receiving them, poured them onto his left and right shoulders.

After that, the Chief Brahmin, Phra Ratcha Khru Vamadeb Muni (Sawat The Royal Horoscope on the Ablution (Purification) Ceremony
Rangsibrahmanakul), presented His Majesty with holy water from the great
conch shell, the deity-blessed holy water from the Phra Tao Bencha Khap or water vessel, and the bronze water container. Later, His Majesty
was presented with the bael leaf, which he put behind his ear and the Kathin leaf, which he held in his hand. Then, Phraya Anurak Ratcha
Mondhien (Kat Wacharothai) presented His Majesty with the sacred conch or chank shell (Turbinella pyrum.)

During the ceremonial procedure, while monks chanted prayers of benediction, officials played music from conch shells with
music from a bugle, bronze drums and a Thai musical ensemble. The guards of honor stood in salutation and the brass band played the
royal anthem of Thailand. The artillerymen shot cannons for an auspicious victory to honor His Majesty the King.

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The Royal Coronation Ceremony