The Legendary Rise of Joko Tingkir: From Orphan to Sultan of Pajang
Perjalanan Joko Tingkir | Edisi Bahasa Indonesia
Indonesian Folklore Homepage
Folklore from Central Java
Indonesian Folklore Homepage
Folklore from Central Java
The man who would become known as the first king of the Pajang Kingdom, Sultan Hadiwijaya, was originally born with the name Mas Karebet. His early life, however, was filled with hardship. His father, Ki Ageng Pangging, more commonly known as Kebo Kenongo, was executed by the Kingdom of Demak, accused of being a rebel. His mother, Nyai Ageng Pengging, heartbroken, succumbed to illness soon after, leaving young Karebet an orphan.
He was taken in by Nyai Ageng Tingkir, who raised him as her own, giving him the nickname Joko Tingkir. Under her care, Joko Tingkir grew into a brave and determined young man, deeply devoted to meditation and self-discipline. Yet, the loss of his parents fueled a fire within him—a desire for wisdom and justice. He sought out great teachers, including Sunan Kalijaga and Ki Ageng Sela, two of the most revered spiritual figures of the time.
One evening, as he sat in deep meditation, Nyai Ageng Tingkir approached him, her voice gentle but filled with purpose.
"Joko, my child," she said, "you have grown into a man of great strength and wisdom. But you are destined for something greater than this village. Go to Demak. Offer your service to the Sultan, as Sunan Kalijaga once advised. It is your path."
Joko Tingkir, ever respectful, bowed deeply. "I will follow your words, Mother. But I am unsure if I am ready."
"Trust in the lessons you've learned. And trust in yourself. Greatness does not come from hesitation."
With her blessing, Joko Tingkir traveled to Demak and found residence in the home of Kyai Gandasmustaka, the brother of Nyai Ageng Tingkir. Through hard work and discipline, Joko Tingkir began his service at the Demak Mosque and quickly earned the trust of Sultan Trenggono, rising to the rank of Wiratama, a position given to those with outstanding military skill.
But as time passed, Joko Tingkir's challenges grew greater. One day, he was assigned to lead a group of soldiers, one of whom was a brash and arrogant warrior named Dadungawuk.
Dadungawuk often flaunted his power, claiming he could defeat anyone in combat. His arrogance spread like wildfire through the ranks, and soon Joko Tingkir decided it was time to test the man's true strength.
"You boast too much," Joko Tingkir said, his voice calm but firm. "Let us see if your power matches your pride." He handed Dadungawuk a konde (hairpin), a simple object that should have been easy to handle. "Pierce this konde if your strength is as great as you say."
With a cocky smirk, Dadungawuk grabbed the konde and tried to pierce it. To his shock, the konde did not bend. Straining with all his might, the warrior exerted more force until, suddenly, he collapsed—dead. The entire assembly stood in silence, stunned at what had happened.
Word of the incident reached Sultan Trenggono, and despite Joko Tingkir's loyal service, he was exiled from Demak for causing the warrior's death.
As he wandered the lands in search of redemption, Joko Tingkir found refuge with his father’s old ally, Ki Ageng Banyubiru, also known as Kebo Kanigoro. There, he trained alongside three fellow disciples: Mas Manca, Mas Wila, and Wragil. Together, they honed their skills, preparing for the challenges that lay ahead.
One day, the four disciples set out on a journey to return to Demak, but their path was not without danger. As they crossed the Kedung Srengenge river on a makeshift raft, the water beneath them began to stir violently. Suddenly, a giant crocodile emerged, invisible to the untrained eye but sensed by the warriors’ keen instincts.
"This beast means to stop us," Mas Wragil shouted, drawing his blade.
"Stay calm," Joko Tingkir said, his voice steady. "We must not fight it with anger."
Together, they battled the unseen crocodile, their coordination flawless. After a fierce struggle, the beast was subdued, and in a strange turn of events, it began to push their raft to the other side of the river, as if acknowledging their strength and purity of heart.
Upon reaching the other side, Joko Tingkir knew that his true test had yet to come. He needed to regain Sultan Trenggono’s favor, but it would require a display of unparalleled courage. As fate would have it, an opportunity soon presented itself.
A ferocious bull, Kebo Danu, had gone mad after being enchanted by dark magic. No one in the kingdom could tame the beast. It wreaked havoc wherever it went, its rampage threatening the lives of everyone around. The people were desperate, and whispers spread that even the great warriors of Demak had failed to stop it.
Joko Tingkir, undeterred, stepped forward. "I will face the beast," he declared, his eyes filled with determination.
"But how?" one of the townspeople asked. "It is unstoppable!"
Joko Tingkir smiled, recalling a lesson from his time with Sunan Kalijaga. "Even the fiercest creature has a weakness. You just have to know where to look." He approached Kebo Danu, whispering ancient mantras into the bull’s ear, placing a small bit of burial ground soil inside.
The bull, enraged, charged at Joko Tingkir, but he stood his ground. With a swift movement, Joko Tingkir dodged the bull's attack and grabbed it by the horns. In a matter of moments, he had subdued the beast, bringing it to its knees before the astonished crowd.
Sultan Trenggono, who had witnessed the event, approached Joko Tingkir, his eyes filled with admiration. "You have proven your worth," the Sultan said. "Not only are you strong, but you possess the wisdom to face challenges with patience and strategy. I hereby restore your position as Wiratama."
The kingdom erupted in celebration, and from that moment on, Joko Tingkir’s legacy as a leader and warrior was sealed. He would eventually rise to become Sultan Hadiwijaya, the ruler of the Pajang Kingdom, guiding his people with the same wisdom and courage that had earned him his title.
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Moral Message:
The story of Joko Tingkir teaches us that true strength comes not just from power, but from perseverance, wisdom, and humility. Despite facing significant challenges and personal loss, Joko Tingkir rises above his circumstances by learning from mentors and using his intelligence and courage. The story reminds us that success is not only about overcoming external challenges but also about mastering inner struggles and making wise, compassionate decisions.
