MS04 

Rian Phra Mahachanok – 
The Mahajanaka Medal (Symbol of Perseverance) 

King Bhumibol Adulyadej - Rama IX
B.E. 2539 (1996)
1.5" (Gold)
Samakom Card (GI10-BCEA0)

---

Sacred Craftsmanship

The Rian Phra Mahachanok is one of the most meaningful royal medals of the reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, combining the Buddhist teaching of Wiriya Baramee — the Perfection of Perseverance with imagery reflecting the King's own lifelong dedication to work and public service.

This example is the Pim Lek, produced in gold and presently protected within an ornate gold casing, creating a particularly distinguished presentation of the original B.E. 2539 issue.

Each medal was individually struck and finished from high-grade precious metal, resulting in subtle natural differences in surface, toning and finishing. These characteristics give every surviving example its own individual character.

---

Personal Experiences Shared by Luksits

Among Thai collectors, the Rian Phra Mahachanok is respected for a character quite different from many conventional sacred medals. Its central meaning is Wiriya — perseverance: continuing one's effort even when success cannot yet be seen.

Many owners associate the medal with progress in business, particularly during periods when growth feels slow or obstacles appear overwhelming. Collectors speak of carrying Mahajanaka through financially difficult years, continuing their work despite uncertainty and eventually rebuilding their circumstances into something considerably stronger.

Others associate the medal with difficult career periods — projects that require years rather than months, businesses that must survive temporary setbacks, or responsibilities where the wearer cannot simply walk away when circumstances become difficult.

For many devotees, its strongest blessing is therefore not simply Choke Lap.

It is the Baramee to endure, continue and eventually overcome.

---

Summary

This is the first-batch Rian Phra Mahachanok, created in B.E. 2539 (1996) in connection with the royal literary work Phra Mahachanok by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX.

This example is the Pim Lek, or smaller mould, produced in gold.

The obverse depicts King Bhumibol in the characteristic posture of working, with his finger raised near his mouth. The portrait communicates concentration, responsibility and continual effort in service to the country.

Beneath the portrait appears the central concept:

Wiriya — Perseverance

The reverse illustrates Phra Mahachanok swimming alone in the great ocean, while the celestial figure Manimekhala appears above.

Both sides therefore communicate the same principle:

Success through unwavering perseverance.

---

Historical Background

Phra Mahachanok belongs to the Buddhist Jataka tradition concerning the former lives of the Bodhisatta before his final birth as Siddhattha Gotama and attainment of Buddhahood.

The story is particularly associated with:

Wiriya Baramee — the Perfection of Perseverance.

After his ship is destroyed, Phra Mahachanok finds himself alone in the vast ocean.

There is no land in sight. He has no certainty that rescue will arrive, nor any knowledge of how long he must continue.

Yet he swims.

His effort is not based upon knowing that he will succeed. He continues because surrender would remove every possibility of reaching safety, while perseverance keeps possibility alive.

This principle became the spiritual heart of the Mahajanaka story.

---

King Bhumibol & Phra Mahachanok

King Bhumibol took particular interest in the story of Phra Mahachanok and its teaching concerning sustained effort.

Its message reflected a principle repeatedly visible throughout his own working life: difficult objectives may require years of observation, experimentation and continued effort before meaningful results appear.

Across numerous royal development initiatives, attention was directed towards agriculture, water management, rural development and the improvement of livelihoods throughout Thailand.

The portrait selected for the medal therefore carries considerable meaning.

Rather than presenting the King purely in ceremonial form, it shows him engaged in work and contemplation.

The message parallels Phra Mahachanok swimming in the ocean.

Different circumstances, but the same principle:

Continue the work even when the final result cannot yet be seen.

---

The Meaning of Wiriya Baramee

Wiriya means energy, diligence, effort and perseverance.

Within Buddhist practice, Wiriya is the determination to maintain wholesome effort despite fatigue, difficulty, disappointment or uncertainty.

The Mahajanaka story presents this principle in its most memorable form.

Phra Mahachanok cannot see the shore.

He does not know whether anyone will rescue him.

Still, he continues swimming.

The lesson is not that success is guaranteed.

The lesson is that one must continue making the correct effort even before the outcome becomes visible.

For this reason, the Mahajanaka medal became especially meaningful for people facing difficult long-term goals.

---

The Obverse – King Rama IX

The obverse carries a finely modelled portrait of King Bhumibol Rama IX in a characteristic working posture.

His hand is raised towards his face while documents rest before him, presenting the King not simply as a monarch but as a figure engaged in thought, responsibility and continual work.

The inscriptions beneath the portrait express the concept of Wiriya — Perseverance in multiple scripts.

Above the medal sits the distinctive royal monogram beneath an elaborate crowned element.

On the gold version, the fine modelling of the portrait, hair, clothing and surrounding inscriptions is particularly clear against the warm precious-metal surface.

---

The Reverse – Phra Mahachanok in the Ocean

The reverse depicts the defining episode of the Mahajanaka Jataka.

Following the destruction of his ship, Phra Mahachanok continues swimming alone through the ocean.

Above him appears Manimekhala, the celestial guardian associated with the sea.

She questions why he continues exerting himself when the shore cannot even be seen.

His response embodies the principle represented by the entire medal: one should perform one's duty and effort to the fullest extent possible rather than surrender simply because success remains uncertain.

The vast waves surrounding the small human figure reinforce the scale of the challenge.

Yet he continues.

---

First Batch – B.E. 2539

The original Mahajanaka medals were created in connection with the publication of the royal-authored Phra Mahachanok.

The first issue included three principal precious-metal types:

Gold — 99.99% purity
Nak — traditional gold-based alloy
Silver — 99.99% purity

Demand for the original project exceeded the initial reservation quantities, and an additional smaller format was subsequently authorised.

The present example belongs to this Pim Lek, or smaller Mahajanaka format, executed in the most prestigious material of the series — gold.

---

Chai Mangkhala Consecration

The Mahajanaka medals received an important Chai Mangkhala consecration at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara.

The royal ceremony took place in B.E. 2539, with King Bhumibol presiding over the auspicious rites.

Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, presided over the monastic side of the ceremony, together with respected monks participating in meditation and blessing.

The ceremony gave the medal a character extending beyond that of an ordinary royal commemorative.

It brought together royal symbolism, Buddhist teaching, sacred consecration and the principle of Wiriya Barameewithin a single object.

---

Gold Material

This example was produced in gold, the highest precious-metal category of the Mahajanaka series.

The warm gold surface gives considerable depth to King Bhumibol's portrait while retaining the fine detail of the reverse narrative scene. The elevated areas catch the light strongly, while the recessed details provide contrast to the portrait, inscriptions, ocean waves and figure of Manimekhala.

Gold also gives this example a particular ceremonial character appropriate to its royal subject.

Preserved within its gold casing, the medal presents a visually unified composition while allowing both the obverse and reverse to remain fully visible.

---

Traditional Blessings & Qualities

The Phra Mahachanok medal is principally associated with Wiriya Baramee, together with several qualities naturally connected with perseverance.

Perseverance — maintaining effort despite setbacks or delayed results.
Baramee — developing character, credibility and inner strength through disciplined action.
Career & Business Progress — particularly meaningful for long-term objectives requiring patience and continual work.
Overcoming Obstacles — continuing forward rather than surrendering prematurely when difficulties arise.
Wisdom & Decision-Making — maintaining clarity and purpose during uncertain circumstances.
Leadership — accepting responsibility and continuing to fulfil one's duties despite pressure.
Protection & Auspiciousness — traditionally associated with its Buddhist symbolism and formal sacred consecration.

Its character is therefore particularly suited to people whose success depends upon sustained effort rather than immediate fortune.

---

Modern Application

The Mahajanaka teaching remains remarkably relevant to modern life.

Entrepreneurs may carry the medal while building businesses through uncertain periods, especially when investment and effort precede visible results.

Professionals may wear it during demanding projects, career transitions or periods when advancement appears slow.

Students may draw meaning from it during extended periods of study and examination preparation.

For those rebuilding after financial or professional setbacks, the image of Phra Mahachanok alone in the ocean provides perhaps the clearest message of all:

Temporary difficulty does not determine the final destination.

When the road ahead remains uncertain, continue doing what must be done.

---

Physical Details

This example is the B.E. 2539 Pim Lek gold version of the Rian Phra Mahachanok, measuring approximately 1.5 inches. The obverse depicts King Bhumibol Rama IX beneath the royal monogram, while the reverse shows Phra Mahachanok swimming beneath Manimekhala. The original gold medal is presently protected within an ornate gold casing, leaving both sides visible, and is accompanied by a Samakom authentication card.

---

Recommended Pairing

The Mahajanaka medal is particularly suitable as a principal daily piece for those focused upon career, business, leadership and long-term personal development.

It pairs naturally with Roop Lors of respected meditation masters where additional Baramee and spiritual guidanceare desired.

For business use, it may be combined with wealth, Choke Lap or Metta Maha Niyom pieces, allowing those amulets to represent opportunity while Mahajanaka represents the perseverance required to transform opportunity into lasting results.

It can equally be worn alone.

Its message is already broad and complete.

---

Personal Notes

Few Thai medals communicate their meaning as clearly as Rian Phra Mahachanok.

On one side is King Bhumibol engaged in his work.

On the other is Phra Mahachanok alone in an apparently endless ocean.

The two images tell the same story.

Continue.

Phra Mahachanok did not continue because success was guaranteed.

He continued because abandoning his effort would remove every possibility of reaching his destination.

That philosophy explains why this medal remains meaningful beyond its status as a royal commemorative object.

The gold Pim Lek gives the piece an additional level of distinction, but the true importance of Mahajanaka remains the teaching represented upon its two faces.

Wiriya Baramee — the strength to continue when the destination cannot yet be seen.

For collectors of sacred royal objects, Buddhist symbolism and historically important Thai medals, the B.E. 2539 first-batch Rian Phra Mahachanok in gold, preserved within a gold casing, remains an exceptional representation of perseverance from the reign of King Rama IX.