Calon Arang

Calon Arang >> Edisi Bahasa Indonesia

Folklore from Java and Bali

In the village of Girah, Kediri Kingdom 

Long ago, in the village of Girah within the Kediri Kingdom, lived a cruel widow known as Calon Arang, a notorious black sorceress. Despite her evil ways, Calon Arang had a beautiful daughter named Ratna Manggali. Unfortunately, because of the villagers' fear of Calon Arang, no one dared to propose to her daughter.

At Calon Arang’s residence

One evening, Calon Arang sat in her yard, her anger bubbling up.

"How is it possible that my beautiful daughter has no suitors?!" she shouted, clenching her fists. “This is all because of you cowardly villagers!”

Ratna Manggali, standing nearby, bowed her head sadly, feeling helpless about her situation.

"Mother, please calm yourself. It’s not their fault. Maybe the time for me to marry hasn’t come yet," she said softly, hoping to soothe her mother’s rage.

But Calon Arang was unmoved.

"No! I won’t let them live in peace! They must pay for this!"

With her heart full of revenge, Calon Arang decided to curse the village of Girah. That very night, she went to the cemetery, bringing offerings for the goddess Durga.

At the Cemetery of Girah 

In the middle of the night, Calon Arang began her ritual. Smoke from the incense rose high into the sky, and mystical chants flowed from her lips. Determined, she called upon the goddess Durga.

"Goddess Durga, I beg you, descend and grant my wish! Curse this village that has insulted me and my daughter!"

Not long after, the sky turned dark, and a great storm swept through. Durga granted Calon Arang’s request, and the curse began to take hold. A massive flood swept over Girah, destroying homes and claiming many lives. Those who survived the flood were soon struck by a mysterious illness that no one could cure. The plague spread, causing death everywhere.

At Kediri Palace

News of the disaster that had befallen the village of Girah eventually reached King Airlangga in the Royal Palace. With a serious expression, he summoned his trusted advisor, Mpu Bharadah, to discuss the matter.

"Mpu Bharadah, I have sent my troops to stop Calon Arang, but they were defeated. What should we do?" the king asked, his voice filled with concern.

Mpu Bharadah thought for a moment, then offered a solution. "I have a plan, Your Majesty. I will send my disciple, Mpu Bahula, to propose to Calon Arang's daughter, Ratna Manggali. Through this, we can approach Calon Arang without shedding blood."

The Proposal and Wedding

The plan was set in motion. Mpu Bahula traveled to the village of Girah and proposed to Ratna Manggali. Overjoyed, Calon Arang accepted the proposal, as her daughter had finally found a suitor. They held a grand wedding celebration that lasted seven days and seven nights.

After the wedding, Bahula learned Calon Arang's secret from Ratna Manggali. He discovered that Calon Arang possessed a magical scroll that she used to summon dark forces. One night, Bahula snuck into Calon Arang’s chamber while she slept soundly and stole the scroll.

The Final Battle 

When Calon Arang realized her magical scroll was missing, she flew into a fury. At the same time, Mpu Bharadah arrived in the village of Girah to confront her.

"Calon Arang, stop this evil at once. Look at the suffering you’ve caused!" Mpu Bharadah demanded firmly.

But Calon Arang refused to listen. _"I don’t care! Anyone who stands in my way will be destroyed!"_

A fierce battle broke out. But without her magical scroll, Calon Arang could not match Mpu Bharadah’s strength. She was defeated in the end.

After the Battle  

Ratna Manggali wept bitterly as she saw her mother lying lifeless on the ground. Despite all the evil her mother had done, she could not deny the love she had for her.

"Mother, I know you did terrible things, but I still love you," she whispered tearfully.

Mpu Bharadah approached and spoke wisely, "Your mother’s death was justice for this village. But remember, you can live with your own name, free from the shadow of her sins."

Since Calon Arang’s death, the village of Girah returned to peace and tranquility. Ratna Manggali and Mpu Bahula lived happily together, and the curse that had haunted the village was lifted at last.

Moral Message:

The moral message of this story emphasizes the destructive nature of vengeance and how it can bring harm not only to others but also to oneself and loved ones. Calon Arang's anger and refusal to let go of her resentment led to suffering for an entire village, and ultimately, her own downfall. The story also highlights the importance of compassion, wisdom, and justice, as shown by Mpu Bharadah's approach in resolving the conflict. Even though Calon Arang loved her daughter, her inability to control her rage and malice overshadowed her care, illustrating how unchecked emotions can lead to ruin. Forgiveness and thoughtful actions are key to achieving peace and harmony.

Calon Arang Painting