Pages

The Legend of Singaraja


























The Legend of Singaraja: The Rise of a Kingdom and the Power of I Gusti Panji Sakti in Bali’s Buleleng Region


Legenda Singaraja >> Edisi Indonesia

Folklore from Bali

SRI Sagening was the king of Klungkung Kingdom, Bali. He had a lot of wives. His last wife was Ni Luh Pasek. She was the most beautiful wife and that made the other wives were jealous. They often told bad things to the king. Sadly, the king was influenced and he finally asked Ni Luh Pasek to leave the palace. Ni Luh Pasek was very sad, but she had no other choice. She became very sad when she knew that she was pregnant! 

Ni Luh Pasek arrived at a village. An old man felt very sorry with her condition. His name was Jelantik Bogol. He was a holy man and had supernatural power. He married Ni Luh Pasek. And when the baby was born, Jelantik Bogol named him I Gusti Gede. He loved I gusti Gede just like his own son.

I Gusti Gede grew as a strong man. He also mastered a lot of skills such as martial arts and supernatural power. His step father taught him the skills. One day his step father asked him to go to a jungle in Den Hill. It was the place Ni Luh Pasek was born. Jelantik Bogol asked him to go there to get more supernatural power. 

Before he left, his step father gave him two weapons, a spear and a keris, it's a traditional wavy double-bladed dagger. I Gusti Gede did it. He went to the Den Hill and meditated. While he was meditating, a spirit of the jungle came to him. The spirit spoke to him.

"You will be a great king. Go to Panumbang beach, help the people there."

I Gusti Gede continued his journey. When he arrived at Panombangan Beach, there was an incident. There was a ship from Bugis sinking at the beach. The people had tried to help, but they did not succeed.

I Gusti Gede wanted to help. He asked the people to stay away from the ship. He prayed and took out hos weapons. Suddenly, two big spirits came out of the spear and the keris.

I Gusti Gede asked the spirits to pull the sinking ships back to sea. The people could not see the spirits. They only saw I Gusti Gede moving his hands. The spirits slowly pulled the ship. In just a minute, a ship just back in the sea. The owner was very happy. He gave some of his wealth to I Gusti Gede. People were amazed with his power. they named him as I Gusti Panji Sakti.

I Gusti Panji Sakti went back to Den Hill. He started to build a village. People came one by one. I Gusti panji Sakti protected them from bad people. Slowly the village became a kingdom. I Gusti Panji Sakti became the king and he named the kingdom as Sukasada.

sukasada became a big kigdom, I Gusti Panji Sakti planned to make another kingdom. He opened up a new area. It was full of buleleng trees. Therefore he named the kingdom as Buleleng Kingdom.

He also build a great palace. People named it Singaraja. Singa means lion and Raja means king. With his power I Gusti Panji Sakti was like a lion. He always protected his people from bad people. While he became a king, Buleleng Kingdom was safe and prosperous. ***



Moral Message

The story of I Gusti Panji Sakti teaches us the importance of resilience and integrity. Despite Ni Luh Pasek's mistreatment, she finds strength and love to raise her child with support from Jelantik Bogol. I Gusti Gede, raised with kindness and trained in strength, becomes a compassionate and powerful leader, using his abilities to protect and empower others. His dedication to safeguarding his people shows that true leadership involves not only strength but also a sense of responsibility, kindness, and service to the community. The founding of Sukasada and Buleleng Kingdoms exemplifies how perseverance and a noble spirit can lead to lasting positive change.




Did you know? 
Keris Bali


The Keris is not just a sharp weapon; it holds a deep cultural significance across the western and central parts of the Indonesian archipelago. This asymmetrical dagger is instantly recognizable due to its unique form: the widened base and, often, a wavy blade. Beyond its distinctive appearance, the keris is famous for its damascene pattern, where delicate, shimmering metal fibers create intricate, flowing designs on the blade's surface.

Traditionally, the keris serves many roles. It is not only a weapon but also a ceremonial item, a symbol of rank, a spiritual object, and even a family heirloom passed down through generations. In some cultures, the keris is believed to have supernatural powers, often crafted by master artisans and infused with blessings or specific intentions. A keris may represent protection, courage, and strength, embodying a warrior's or family's legacy. Each keris is unique, carefully handcrafted, with its own “soul” and meaning, making it more than just a weapon but a treasured cultural artifact.










Please Read More Stories!

1 comment: