A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.
Overview
U Lurmangkhara is the brightest star in Rafy’s tale of Ka Panshandi. Watching the tortoise play among reflected stars in a clear pool, he mistakes her enjoyment of the reflections for devotion to their celestial originals. From his distant position he cannot judge her habits. Ignoring the warnings of his companions, he descends to earth, marries her and shares his great wealth.
The marriage fails as he grows dissatisfied with the disorder of their home. After patient requests, angry protests and a threat to leave produce no change, he takes his possessions and returns to the sky. Ka Panshandi calls after him and promises reform, but he never comes back. The tale explains her upward-stretched neck as continued waiting. It gives no named constellation, planetary identification or transformation of the tortoise into a human bride. Rafy’s moral about wives and domestic conduct is the retelling’s social framing, not an endorsed judgment about abandoned spouses.
Origins & earliest records
Khasi tale selected and presented in English by Mrs. Rafy
Records & interpretation
Complete named chapters, title page and foreword read.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Folk-Tales of the Khasis
XXIII, The Legend of Ka Panshandi, the Lazy Tortoise, pp.108–110; Macmillan, London
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
Primary records and illustrations
Mrs. Rafy, Folk-Tales of the Khasis (1920)
English collection. XXIII, The Legend of Ka Panshandi, the Lazy Tortoise, pp.108–110
Complete tale and foreword read. The marriage fails as he grows dissatisfied with the disorder of their home. After patient requests, angry protests and a threat to leave produce no change, he takes his possessions and returns to the sky. Ka Panshandi calls after him and promises reform, but he never comes back. The tale explains her upward-stretched neck as continued waiting. It gives no named constellation, planetary identification or transformation of the tortoise into a human bride. Rafy’s moral about wives and domestic conduct is the retelling’s social framing, not an endorsed judgment about abandoned spouses.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Historical English folklore collectionRafy, Folk-Tales of the Khasis, XXIII, The Legend of Ka Panshandi, the Lazy Tortoise, pp.108–110Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.