Page 178 - A History of Siam

A HISTORT OF SIAM
170
In Siam itself name is re-
King Songt'am's chiefly
membered on account of the in his of
discovery, reign,
the P'rabat, or supposed footprint of Buddha, at the foot
of a hill to the north-east of now known as the
Ayut'ia,
P'rabat mountain. Whether this was
gigantic footprint
an ancient carved P'rabat, which was merely rediscovered
at that time, or whether it was a natural indentation in
the rock, and has since been touched up, can never now
be known. Few modern Buddhists believe that the
Teacher was of stature. Nevertheless
great superhuman
this curious relic is entitled to as an
respect, object
venerated of Buddhists.
by many generations pious
Even at the time thousands flock in
present every year,
the month of to on the P'rabat
February, worship
mountain.
It is not certain whether any Maha Uparat was
appointed by King Songt'am, but it is probable that his
younger brother, Prince Sri Sin, held this position, since
all contemporary writers regarded him as the lawful heir
to the throne. When, however, towards the end of the
year 1628, the King fell seriously ill, the question of the
succession rise to a deal of One
gave great intrigue.
headed was in favour of
party, by P'ya Kalahom,
Prince Sri Sin. Sri the
P'ya Worawong, King's
cousin, espoused the cause of Prince Jett'a, the
King's eldest son, aged fifteen. Both parties tried to
enlist the sympathies of Yamada, now known as P'ya
and his 600 while
Senap'imuk, Japanese, Yamada,
putting P'ya Kalahom off with evasive answers, was
in with Sri
secretly league P'ya Worawong.
In the end, the dying monarch, blinded by natural
his son as his
affection, /proclaimed successor, thereby,
the doom of his whole
as will be seen, sealing family.
Having taken this fatal step, King Songt'am died, aged