THE STORY OF DANG HYANG NIRARTHA, THE MAN BEHIND THE RISE OF
BALINESE SPIRITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS, MAY SOUND MORE LIKE A TALE THAN A TRUE STORY.
BUT THE BALINESE BELIEVE IT TO BE A PART OF THEIR HISTORY.
A PERILOUS JOURNEY
It was chaos in Java by the mid 15th century. Founds
were happening everywhere and the Islamic expansion had reached almost all
areas of Java. Some Javanese Hindus sought refuge in the eastern parts of Java
such as Pasuruan, Blambangan, Banyuwangi, Tengger, Bromo, Kelud and Gunung Raung
(Semeru). Others traveled as far as Bali, including Dang Hyang Nirartha, a
famous Hindu priest who had a bread knowledge of religions. He was a handsome
and powerful yet humble priest and not only did he understand the values of
Hinduism but he was also familiar with Buddhism and Islam. Along with his wife
and seven children, he made the dangerous trek to the island of the gods.
When they were about to cross the sea they faced a difficult
dilemma. All they had was a small leaking boat that would in no way be strong
enough to hold them all. But with the help of some people who lived by the
shore they managed to fix the boat using pumpkin leaves. The priest himself
decided to cross the ocean alone using his magical powers. He was able to
synchronize his power with that of the universe and managed to cross the sea
riding on a pumpkin.
The priest was first to arrive on the island and while
waiting for his family to foloow he built a temple called the Purancak Temple.
By the time his family arrived, he made a vow that he and his descendants would
never again eat pumpkin (to this day most Balinese Hindu priest refuse to eat
pumpkin in honor of the vow made by Dang Hyang Nirartha).
HEADING EAST
In the days to follow they continued their journey to the eastern
part of Bali. Along the way they came across an enormous dragon with its mouth
wide open. Dang Hyang Nirartha decide not to kill the dragon and instead
entered the body of the dragon. The dragon suddenly disappeared and the priest
appeared with his body glistening in gold. His family was terrified and ran for
their lives. For days Dang Hyang Nirartha tried to locate his family and every
single day he believed that he would be able to find them. He finally found his
wife and six of his children, but he learned his oldest daughter had died when
her soul came to him asking for forgiveness for letting fear overcome her. Not
long after learning about the loss of his daughter, the priest lost his wife.
Both his wife and daughter’s souls became the guardian
angels of the village where they died and they are honored at the Melanting
Temple.
The priest and his six remaining children continued their
journey to east Bali. Day after day come across Balinese people who at that
time still practiced animism and Dang Hyang Nirartha patiently tried to convert
them. He taught them that statues should not be worshipped because there is
only one great power in this universe, which is “Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa” or
God. The statue itself is only a symbol of God’s will and power.
To avoid any misinterpretation of Hinduism, Dang Hyang Nirartha created the
concept of Padmasana, which has since become the main part of Balinese Temples.
Padmasana is a place where the power of God stands strong and is worshiped by
Balinese Hindus. Dang Hyang Nirartha was also the one who introduced the use of
fire (incense), holy water and fresh flowers as part of the Balinese prayer
culture. These materials (fire, water and flower) were believed to be the best
tools to help people to channel their souls to the greater power when
performing their prayers.
ACHIEVING ‘MOKSHA’
Year after year the priest continued to teach and build
temples around the island, including the Rambut Siwi Temple, the Tanah Lot
Temple and the Suranadi Temple (in Lombok). Before his life’s journey come to
an end, Dang Hyang Nirartha went to a beach in Kerobokan. He decided to bury
his tobacco box (it is customary for Balinese Hindu priests to chew tobacco
mixed with areca nut and lime and it is believed the the tobacco boxes owned by
the priests have powerful energy) and requested that the terrifying spirit who
lived there guard it. Since the giant spirit guarded his tobacco box in a grim
place, the priest name that place “Peti tenget” (grim box).
Dang Hyang Nirartha then continued his journey south to a village
called Pecatu, where he was finally able to reach Moksha (being freed from the
karmic suffering of the world) at a location that is now known as the Uluwatu
Temple.
Until now, the concepts taught by the priest are still
followed by Balinese Hindus. These concepts keep the balance of life in Bali
and add richness to the culture of the island. For that, the journey of this
priest will always be remembered by Balinese Hindus.