Wednesday, 2 October 2013

Batara Guru

Batara Guru

Batara Guru
Batara Guru
Batara Guru is the name of a supreme god in several Indonesian mythologies. His name appears to be derived from Sanskrit Bhattara, which means "noble lord" and Guru, epithet of Bá¹›haspati, a Hindu god who is a regent and identified with the planet Jupiter.
Batara Guru is one of the Debata na Tolu, that rule Banua Ginjang (upper world, the realm of the gods). He and his brothers - Debata Sori Pada and Debata Mangala Bulan - were born from three eggs hatched by a divine giant hen, Manuk Patia Raja, an avatar of Debata Asi Asi. He married a goddess named Siboru Porti Bulan and has two sons (Mula Songta and Mula Songti) and two daughters (Siboru Sorba Jati and Siboru Deak Parujar). Later, Siboru Deak Parujar married Siraja Odap Odap and bore children who became the ancestors of the human beings that inhabit Banua Tonga (middle world, i.e. the Earth).
The omnipotent god Mula Jadi na Bolon gave Batara Guru wisdom, juridical law, royal law, knowledge and the ability to control destiny and the fate of mortals. His realm stretched from Bukit Siunggas to Bukit Parsambilan, and included the seven floored heaven where the sacred tree Hari Ara grows. Batara Guru is depicted wearing a black robe and, on his head, a three colored big boat shaped turban called "Talungkup". He rides a black horse while in his hand he bears a scale called "Gantang Tarajuan". He has a black crow and Nanggar Jati bird. He also has the ability to give human beings life, and to open their ears so that they can distinguish good from bad words).
According to Sureq Galigo, Batara Guru was a god, the son of Sang Patotoqe and Datu Palingeq, who was sent to earth to cultivate it as human being. His divine name was La Togeq Langiq. He had at least ten children from his five concubines, but only one son from his beloved consort, We Nyiliq Timoq. He is the father of Batara Lattuq and grand father of Sawerigading, the main characters in the Buginese mythology story, Sureq Galigo. He is also the father of Sangiang Serri, the goddess of rice and fertility in Buginese mythology.
According to Javanese mythology, Batara Guru is a dewa that rules kahyangan, the realm of the gods. He is an avatar of Shiva that gives revelations, gifts and abilities. Batara Guru has a shakti named Dewi Uma and begat some children. In wayang kulit, Batara Guru is the only character whose feet face forward, with four hands, pointed canine teeth, a blue neck and paralyzed legs. He always rides his vahana, Nandini the cow, and is also known by several names including Sang Hyang Manikmaya, Sang Hyang Caturbuja, Sang Hyang Otipati, Sang Hyang Jagadnata, Nilakanta, Trinetra, Girinata.
Batara Guru has two brothers, Sang Hyang Maha Punggung and Sang Hyang Ismaya. Their parents are Sang Hyang Tunggal and Dewi Rekatawati. One day, Dewi Rekatawati laid a shining egg. Sang Hyang Tunggal transformed the egg using his abilities. Its shell turned into Sang Hyang Maha Punggung, the firstborn. The egg white turned into Sang Hyang Ismaya, and its yolk turned into Sang Hyang Manikmaya. Later, Sang Hyang Tunggal appointed two elders to look after humans, especially Pandava, while Batara Guru (also known as Sang Hyang Manikmaya) led the gods in kahyangan.

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