Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppets) - Part 4: The Kingdom of Amarta

The Kingdom of Amarta

Source: http://www.joglosemar.co.id/ Yudistira King of Amarta or Indrapasta Avoiding worse conflicts with their Korawa cousins and honoring the position of their uncle, Destarata as the ruler of Hastinapura. Pendawa had built their own kingdom of Amarta or Indrapasta with Yudistira as the king, assisted by a strong team of wise experts, consisted of his brothers and nephews. In necessity, Kresna, the wise and brilliant king of Dwarawati, a man with sharp vision was always available for advice and help. The obedient and clever servants-the Ponokawans-Semar, Gareng, Petruk and Bagong served Amarta with total loyalty. The Pendawa, who had gained a lot of various knowledge through court formal education in Hastinapura’s palace and experiences of self-denial mainly due to oppressive deeds by Korawa and their cronies, turned out to be champions of justice. They could manage perfectly all state affaires, justice, welfare and prosperity were guaranteed. All the citizens were happy. The success of Amarta were known outside its boundaries. It had good relation with more and more countries. A Rajasuya ceremony, attended by more than 100 kings was held as a sign of great respect to Yudistira as a great king. Except, Dwarawati kingdom, the closest allies of Amarta were the kingdoms of Cempala and Wirata. Besides having friendship with other countries, Amarta maintained excellent contact with many wise Bagawans/priests from various countries. This solid policy strengthened the position of Amarta. Yudistira was referred also as Darmakusuma, in honor of his spiritual father-Betara Darma, the god of justice. He was considered as the most honest man in the world. When he saw a terrible injustice, he could be angry and automatically he would transform (Triwikrama) as a huge white giant.

The Kingdom of Amarta Kresna always called him, Samiaji, his other name was Guna Talikrama. His child name was Puntodewa. He had a holy heirloom Jamus Kalimasada, for protection, truth and mastering the true knowledge of life (Ilmu Sejati). With his loyal wife Drupadi, he had a son Pancawala. (after the Baratayuda, he reigned again Hastinapura with his new name, Prabu Kalimataya. He had another wife, Dewi Kuntulwilaten). Bima or Werkudara was referred also as Bayu Tanaya, in honor of his spiritual father Betara/god Bayu. His other names were: Dandum Wacana, Kusuma Waligita, Bondan Paksajandu. His name as a child was Arya Bratasena. He had his own palace, Jodipati, sometime he was also referred by the dalang/puppet-master as Satria Jodipati. Once he became a king of Gilingwesi by the name of Prabu Tungguwasesa. From his marriage with Arimbi, he got a son, Gatotkaca or Purbaya who married with Pergiwa, Arjuna’s daughter. They had a son, Sasi Kirana. Sasi Kirana was one of Hastinapura;s chief-warrior under Parikesit. Other Gatotkaca wives were Suryawati and a sakti (having strong supernatural power) lady, Dewi Sumpani. One day Gatotkaca and his cousins were making a war exercise in Kurusetra. The Korawa, led by Dursasana and his son Dursala attacked them. Gatotkaca was captured but saved by his brother Antareja. He was cured by his uncle, Seta of Wirata. In order to be more powerful, Gatotkaca had been given an Aji-aji/mantra called: Narantaka. To perfectly master the aji-aji, Gatotkaca had to meditate alone in a cave for 40 consecutive days. During that time, no sex was allowed. He followed the instruction faithfully. Several days before the deadline, he felt that he was watched by a young lady. He did not take care, although he knew that it was a temptation. After finishing 40 days meditation, he went out from the cave, greeted by an atractive village lady. The lady, Sumpani told him openly that she wished to be his wife. Gatotkaca agreed upon one condition, he would practiced his new mantra on her. If she could resist the Narantaka, he would take her as his wife. Sumpani was not an ordinary village girl, she was a daughter of a powerful Resi. She had also powerful mantras. Narantaka did no harm to her. Gatotkaca had another new wife. Bima’ second wife was Nagagini, the daughter of Sang Hyang Antaboga, a god ascetic living in the seventh layer of the earth. From this marriage, a true powerful ksatria, Antareja was born. Educated and trained by his own grand-father, Antareja became an unbeatable warrior. He was so strong with tremendons magic power. Only by licking the footprint of someone, the person would die. With his magical ability, he had done a lot to protect Pendawa family and Amarta. It was destined that he was not allowed to take part in the war of Baratayuda. With his unbelievable power, Korawa and their cronies should be eliminated within a short time. Kresna secretly had to execute the heaven’s order. Antareja licked his own footprint and died at once. Antareja had a son, Danurwinda, he would be the Patih of Hastinapura under Parikesit.

Bima or Werkudara

Arjuna or Indra Tanaya

Abiyasa, grand father of Pandawa Lima

Nakula

Sadewa

Pandu, father of Pandawa Lima Werkudara’s third wife was Dewi Urang Ayu, the daughter of Sang Hyang Baruna, a powerful god living under the ocean. Baruna was a very good god, he had helped several kings such as Arjuna Sasrabahu, Rama etc. Urang Ayu gave birth to Antasena, another warrior with strong magical ability. He could kill his enemies by spitting over his poison. In battle or war, he was very dangerous.

Kresna, the King of Dwarawati, he is adviser of Amarta Kingdom He was good and honest, but like Bima he spoke to everyone in Ngoko language, (the lowest level of language, spoke between friends, the refined one is Kromo language, used to respected or elder people). He was very much concern for the victory of Pendawa in Baratayuda. He was advised by his grand-father to ask to Sang Hyang Wenang, the greatest decision-maker of life, the grand-father of Batara Guru. Antasena made an audience to Sang Hyang Wenang and ask him what he supposed to do, to secure Pendawa’s victory. Sang Hayang Wenang told him, that he had to be a Tumbal (spiritual tool to gain something) for Pendawa. In other word, he had to sacrifice his life. Antasena loving his parents very much, had no objection. Sang Hyang Wenang stared sharply, using his extraordinary powerful eyes at Antasena’s face, focussed on a spot between his eyes. Astonishingly, Antasena’s body became smaller and smaller, at last he vanished. His soul returned to heaven. Thus, he did not take part in Baratayuda. Arjuna or Indra Tanaya Betara/god Indra was his spiritual father. He had several names and wives (see: figures in wayang: Arjuna). The dalang/shadow-puppet-master, sometimes referred him as Satria Madukara, the name of his palace or Panengah Pendawa (the middle of Pendawa), he was no.3 son of the five Pendawa. From his wife Sembadra, Kresna’ sister (considered as the first wife) he had a son Abimanyu. Abimanyu’s marriage with Dewi Utari from Wirata, give a birth to Parikesit, the king of new Hastinapura. Another wife of Abimanyu was Siti Sundari, Kresna’s daughter. Abimanyu had been tortured cruelly by several Korawa before his death in Baratayuda. Arjuna was very angry and killed all his son’s killers in revenge. Bambang Irawan, his other son who married Titisari, Kresna’s daughter was also killed in Baratayuda. He and his enormous and strong enemy- a giant – Kalasrenggi died together in the duel. Arjuna treated his wives equally, but his best care for sons was Abimanyu. Semar criticized him seriously. Even Semar had to arrange the wedding ceremony of Sumitra, his son with Larasati. The wedding helped by gods was successful and extravagant, Arjuna was ashamed to Semar and apologized. Ponokawans ( Semar, Gareng, Petruk and Bagong ) served Amarta with total loyalty. Jimambang, his other wife, was the daughter of Resi Wilwuk of Pringgadani. From Resi Wilwuk, he had a mantra, called: Jayengkaton. Spelling Jayengkaton, he could see the unseen spirits and world. With Banowati, Duryudana’s wife, he had deep love affaires. Their love relation was continued after the death of Duryudana. After Banowati had been killed by Aswatama, Arjuna was very sad. Then he married Citrahoyi, the widow of Arjunapati, who resembled to Banowati. From Dresanala, his goddess wife, the daughter of Betara Brama, he got a sakti son Wisanggeni. Wisanggeni was afraid to nobody, even to gods. Like Bima and Antaseno, he spoke in Ngoko language. His fate was the same as Antasena’s, he did not involved in Baratayuda. Nakula was the fourth Pendawa. His child name was Pinten. Besides a ksatria warrior, he was an expert in agriculture. During Baratayuda, king Salya of Mandaraka was terrific fighter, many Pendawa’ soldiers had become victims. The clever Kresna knew Salya’s love to Nakula and Sadewa. Nakula and Sadewa, his own nephews, the sons of his younger sister, Madrim visited Salya in his tent. Salya whole heartedly cared very much Pendawa, especially Nakula and Sadewa. He told him his secret power. The only one who could defeat him was Yudistira. He asked also Nakula and Sadewa to become kings of Mandaraka after the Baratayuda. Both honored the agreements and reigned Mandaraka. Nakula married Padmasari, the daughter of Widura, Dewi Suyati and Srengganawati. His court domain was Sawojajer. Sadewa was the youngest of Pendawa. His child name was Tangsen. All other Pendawa cared very much Nakula and Sadewa. The twin, since their tender age had experienced bitter life. They grew stronger and became ksatria-warrior. Sadewa had his own retreat in Bumi Retawu. He was an expert in animal husbandry. Widura’s daughter, Padmawati was his first wife. He married also Endang Sadarmi, the daughter of Resi Tembang Petra from the hermit of Parangalas. He got a son, Raden Sabekti. His third wife was Srengginiwati, he got a daughter Dewi Tanjung. Sadewa through asceticism had mastered the true knowledge of life. He was able to hold an exorcism ritual (Javanese: Ruwatan) for the evil-goddess, Betari Durga. She was purified and gained back her normal form physically and spiritually, as Dewi Uma, the wife of Betara Guru. Suryo S. Negoro Thanks to: Bapak Suryo S. 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