PST04

Lersi Tafai

Por Sala Tan
Barang artifact (3")

Personal Experiences Shared by Luksits

This particular Lersi Tafai was personally collected from one of Por Sala Tan's luksits, who had kept the piece for his own meditation and wicha practice.

According to the luksit, this was one of the pieces he relied upon whenever he encountered obstacles during meditation or difficulties progressing with his wicha. During such periods, he would keep the Lersi close while practising and felt that it helped him regain concentration, direction and the resolve needed to continue.

He also described a consistent feeling of protection while carrying the piece, particularly when undertaking spiritual practice or entering situations where the surrounding influences felt uncertain.

For him, the importance of this Lersi was therefore closely connected with guidance, protection and overcoming obstacles in spiritual practice.

Pieces of this nature were created only in very limited quantities. Por Sala Tan would first examine unusual sacred materials and determine which form and wicha were most suitable for them. As a result, many remained with his luksits and collectors and are seldom encountered openly on the market.

Summary

This Lersi Tafai by Por Sala Tan is one of his rare hand-carved works, created from an unusual old relic discovered inside a cave during a full moon in the Thai–Myanmar border region.

According to the history preserved with the piece, Por Sala Tan noticed a strange glowing light coming from within the cave. Upon investigating, he discovered several pieces of old relic material that appeared to be the source of the light.

When Por Sala Tan held the relic, he felt an immense spiritual presence from it. After performing the necessary prayers to respectfully obtain the material, he felt that this particular relic was suited to the form of Lersi Tafai — the Fire-Eyed Hermit.

He subsequently carved the Lersi directly into the old relic.

The reverse was prepared with soil from the original cave together with soil collected from various auspicious mountains. Embedded within this backing are sacred takruts, Ngan relics and Keow Moo Tong Daeng.

A bottle of Metta Maha Niyom oil was also incorporated to harmonise and stabilise the attraction energies contained within the amulet.

The finished piece combines the traditional qualities of Lersi Tafai — wisdom, protection, clarity and the destruction of obstacles — with rare sacred materials personally selected and prepared by Por Sala Tan.

Historical Background – Lersi Tafai

Lersi Tafai, literally the “Fire-Eyed Hermit,” is one of the recognised Lersi figures within Thai sacred and occult traditions.

The Lersi tradition developed from the ancient Indian Rishi, or ascetic sage, and was gradually integrated into Thai Buddhist, Brahmanical, healing, artistic and magical traditions.

Lersi are remembered principally as teachers and custodians of knowledge. For this reason, they remain especially important within Wai Kru traditions, where practitioners pay respect to the teachers and masters through whom knowledge and wicha have been transmitted.

Lersi Tafai is also commonly associated with Por Gae, the revered elder teacher invoked by practitioners, healers, artists and students of traditional knowledge.

His character places particular emphasis upon wisdom, discipline, protection and mastery over harmful influences.

The Fire Eye

The defining feature of Lersi Tafai is the sacred third eye upon his forehead.

“Tafai” means Fire Eye.

Within traditional accounts, this eye represents a spiritual fire capable of seeing beyond ordinary appearances and destroying harmful or deceptive influences.

The symbolism is closely connected with discernment — the ability to recognise what is hidden, distinguish truth from deception and remain clear-minded when circumstances become confusing.

The fire also represents purification and the destruction of obstacles.

For practitioners of wicha, the imagery therefore carries a deeper meaning: knowledge must be accompanied by clarity, discipline and control of the mind.

This makes Lersi Tafai particularly relevant to meditation and spiritual practice.

The Old Glowing Cave Relic

The principal material of this piece is the old relic discovered by Por Sala Tan inside a remote cave.

During a full moon, while travelling within the Thai–Myanmar border region, Por Sala Tan noticed an unusual light glowing from inside the cave.

Upon entering, he discovered several pieces of old relic material.

Holding the material, Por Sala Tan felt what he regarded as an exceptionally strong spiritual presence. He therefore performed the necessary prayers and ritual observances before taking possession of the relic.

For this particular relic, he felt the appropriate form was Lersi Tafai.

The Lersi was subsequently carved directly into the old material, preserving its natural colour, texture and age.

Cave Soil & Auspicious Mountain Soil

The reverse of the amulet was prepared with a sacred compound containing soil from the cave where the relic was discovered.

Por Sala Tan further combined this with soil gathered from various auspicious mountains.

These materials are traditionally associated with seclusion, meditation and forest ascetic practice.

They form the foundation of the reverse and connect the piece to environments linked with spiritual discipline.

Takruts, Ngan Relics & Keow Moo Tong Daeng

Several specialised sacred materials were incorporated into the reverse.

Takruts were embedded to add written wicha and protective qualities.

Ngan relics were included as part of the ritual composition.

Keow Moo Tong Daeng was also incorporated among the sacred substances.

Together, these elements support protection, strength, guidance and the removal of obstacles.

Metta Maha Niyom Oil

A small bottle of Metta Maha Niyom oil was incorporated into the reverse of the amulet.

It was added to balance and harmonise the attraction energies within the piece.

This introduces a softer Metta aspect alongside the stronger protective nature of Lersi Tafai.

Traditionally, it supports favourable interactions, acceptance, assistance and smoother circumstances in daily life.

Traditional Blessings (Summarised)

Wisdom & Discernment — clarity of thought and ability to recognise truth from illusion.
Meditation Support — helps focus and steadiness during spiritual practice.
Protection — guards against negative influences and uncertain environments.
Obstacle Removal — symbolically burns away confusion and hindrances.
Authority & Respect — supports confidence, leadership and credibility.
Career & Opportunity — encourages helpful connections and smoother progress.
Spiritual Discipline — reinforces respect for teachers and the path of wicha.

Modern Application

Lersi Tafai is suited to those who rely on judgement, knowledge and leadership.

It is often associated with teachers, practitioners, business owners and those in decision-making roles.

For meditation practitioners, it is traditionally kept during periods of difficulty or stagnation in practice.

The Metta element also supports everyday life by encouraging smoother relationships and helpful circumstances.

Physical Details

The front depicts Lersi Tafai, hand-carved by Por Sala Tan from the old cave relic.

The Lersi is shown with a traditional headdress, long beard and the distinctive Fire Eye on the forehead. A skull motif appears beneath the seated figure, reinforcing its old-wicha character.

The reverse contains a dark sacred base made from cave soil and auspicious mountain soil.

Embedded within are takruts, Ngan relics, Keow Moo Tong Daeng, and two small sacred figures.

At the centre is the bottle of Metta Maha Niyom oil.

The piece is housed in a custom silver-toned casing. Each example is individually unique due to natural variation in materials and hand preparation.

Recommended Pairings

Hua Namo — enhances Metta, relationships and favourable conditions.
Tao Wessuwan — adds stronger protective guardian energy.
Lineage Lersi Amulet — strengthens Wai Kru connection and spiritual continuity.

A Rare Lersi Masterpiece of Por Sala Tan

This Lersi Tafai is a rare work from Por Sala Tan, created from a glowing cave relic discovered during a full moon.

After ritual examination, he determined the appropriate form to be Lersi Tafai and personally carved it into the material.

The reverse was completed with cave soil, auspicious mountain soil, takruts, Ngan relics, Keow Moo Tong Daeng and Metta Maha Niyom oil.

The piece balances clarity, protection and obstacle removal with Metta-based harmony and support.

Its later custodian used it during meditation and wicha practice, consistently associating it with guidance and protection.

Due to the rarity of such materials, most pieces remain within private collections of Por Sala Tan’s luksits, making this a highly individual example of his sacred craftsmanship.