Subali - (Wayang Kulit)
| Title | Subali - (Prabu) - Ramayana |
|---|---|
| Other names | Guwarsi, Sobali, Vali, Bali |
| Size | 55 cm |
| Personal data | According to the Ramayana version, Subali was initially born as a normal human, named Guwarsi, and the eldest of a twin with his brother Sugriwa, named Guwarsa, from a mother but different fathers. Subali is the son of Dewa Indra while Sugriwa is the son of Dewa Surya. Meanwhile, in Javanese wayang, Subali is the son of Resi Gotama, also named Anjaningrat, and Dewi Windradi who lives in the Agrastina hermitage. Subali also has a sister named Anjani. In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Subali , also known as Vali, was the Warana-king of the Kishkindha Kingdom. Subali married Dewi Tara and was blessed with a son named Hanggada (Anggada), who was also instrumental in helping Sri Rama save Shinta from the hands of Rahwana. |
| Appearance | Subali has Aji Pancasunya or Pancasona , which makes him not die as long as his body is still touching the ground. |
| Collection | Private collection |
Subali – (Prabu) – Ramayana
One day, Resi Gotama's three children quarreled over their mother's cupu. Gotama found out about this, Indradi was called and asked where his cupu came from. Resi Gotama actually knew that the cupu that his three children were fighting over was a heavenly object belonging to Bathara Surya, named Cupumanik Astagina. Because he was afraid, Indradi remained silent and didn't want to answer. Resi Gotama was angry because he felt betrayed by his wife. He cursed Indradi into a pillar, and threw it as far as the border of the Alengka kingdom.
Subali , Sugriwa, and Anjani are still fighting over Astagina's cupu, even though they have lost their mother.
Gotama finally threw the cupu as far as possible until it fell on an empty ground and turned into a lake. However, the three children were still looking for where the object they were fighting over fell. Until finally they arrived near the lake, Guwarsi and Guwarsa immediately threw themselves into the lake because they thought that Astagina's cupu had fallen in it, while Anjani immediately washed her face with lake water because it was hot. Instantly, Guwarsi and Guwarsa's forms changed into wanara (apes), while Anjani, her face and arms changed into the faces and arms of monkeys like her two brothers.
Anjani, Subali and Sugriwa then faced their father with sad and regretful feelings. Rishi Gotama then ordered the three to purify themselves. Anjani meditated in Madirda Lake, and eventually she met Batara Guru and had a son named Hanuman. While Subali and Sugriwa respectively meditated in the mountains and forests of Sunyapringga.
Javanese version
As told in Javanese wayang, Tara was not originally Subali's wife, but Sugriwa's wife.
In the story of Maesasura, the heaven Suralaya was destroyed by Jatasura (giant with boar headed), delegated by King Maesasura (giant with buffalo headed) and his brother Lembusura (giant with cow headed). They also demanded the Goddesses Tara and Tari for their wives.
When the two brothers were meditating to purify themselves, Bathara Narada, who was sent by Batara Guru, came to ask for help in destroying the heavenly enemy, named Maesasura, king of Guakiskenda, in exchange for Dewi Tara and Dewi Tari’s hands in marriage. Subali and Sugriwa agreed to Batara Narada's request.
At midnight Sugriwa and Subali went to the Kingdom of Gowa Kiskenda. Subali entered the Kiskenda palace which was located in the cave, while Sugriwa stood guard outside the cave. Subali advised Sugriwa, if red blood flows out of the cave, it means Maesasura is dead, but if what flows is purih blood, it means he is the one who died. And if Subali was killed, Sugriwa was asked to immediately cover the cave entrance with a large stone.
Subali entered the cave and he fought against Maesasura, who at that time was assisted by his two bodyguards named Lembusura and Jatasura. The three of them died with their heads smashed in Subali's hands. Their blood and brains flowed out of the cave.
Sugriwa waited outside the cave until he saw the stream running from the cave was now red and white in color. He remembered his brothers’ words, and realizes that his brother and the two giants Maesasura and Lembusura were dead. Sugriwa shut the cave with the large stone, and returned to Suralaya to report that both his brother and two giants were dead.
Keeping his word, the king of the gods Guru then rewarded Sugriwa with his new wife, Dewi Tari and he became the king of Guwa Kiskenda.
In reality, Subali was not actually dead, but when he killed the two giants their blood and brains mixed together making the stream red and white.
Somehow Subali freed himself after a long time and arrived in heaven. He was angry and accused his younger brother of betrayal. Subali also beat Sugriwa mercilessly. Until finally Bathara Narada came down to stop them and explain what really happened. Subali finally realized and apologized. He finally gave up Tara to become Sugriwa's wife and handed over the Kiskenda throne left by Maesasura.
Bathara Guru then gave another gift to Subali for his services, he was given supernatural knowledge that could make him immortal, this knowledge was called Aji Pancasunya or Pancasona.
Ramayana version
In the original version (Ramayana), it is said that from the start Subali was king in the Kiskenda Kingdom.
One day, a rakshasa named Dundubi came to challenge him to a match with his supernatural powers. In that fight, Dundubi was defeated by Subali, he then fled to Mount Reksyamuka where Resi Matangga was hermited. However, Subali chased Dundubi and killed him at Resi Matangga's hermitage. Rishi Matangga was angry because his place was being defiled, he cursed that Subali would die if he dared to set foot on Mount Reksyamuka.
Subali then met Dundubi's brother Mayawi, and the two of them fought. Mayawi lost and fled into the cave. Subali continued to chase him, Sugriwa followed his brother and waited outside the cave.
Sugriwa heard his brother's roar from inside the cave and saw blood flowing out of the cave. Sugriwa was sad and thought that Subali was dead. Sugriwa then returned to Kiskenda and was urged by his people to become the new king to replace Subali. However, suddenly Subali appeared full of anger. Because it turns out that the person who died was actually Mayawi, not Subali.
Subali beat Sugriwa mercilessly. Sugriwa, who was frightened, fled to Mount Reksyamuka, where Subali did not dare to chase him because he remembered the curse of Resi Matangga.
Sugriwa hid on Mount Reksyamuka accompanied by Hanoman , his nephew who was always loyal to him. There they met Sri Rama, a prince from Ayodhya who was looking for his wife who was kidnapped by Ravana, king of the Alengka Kingdom. Finally Sugriwa and Sri Rama made an agreement, Rama would help Sugriwa obtain the Kiskenda throne, while Sugriwa promised to help Rama attack Ravana's country.
Sugriwa also came to Kiskenda's palace and challenged Subali to a match. Subali was angry and wanted to hit Sugriwa but was prevented by Tara, his wife. Tara suspects that Sugriwa has previously lost, but now suddenly he dares to come and challenge him to fight. However, Subali ignored his wife's advice, he stepped aside and accepted his younger brother's challenge. A fierce fight between two brothers cannot be avoided.
Meanwhile, Sri Rama, who was accompanied by his younger brother, Laksmana and Hanoman, was ready to aim his arrow at Subali. However, he was confused about the difference between Subali and Sugriwa. Sugriva was overwhelmed and ran away. Rama came to see Sugriwa who was angry because he felt betrayed. Rama then explained that he was confused about the difference between Subali and Sugriwa and was afraid of making the wrong attack.
Later, Subali and Sugriwa fought again. But this time Sugriwa wore a garland of red flowers. This time, Rama could recognise Subali and shot an arrow into his chest that killed him. When he was dying, Subali insulted Rama as a cowardly knight who did not know dharma. Hearing this insult, Rama explained that Subali had actually sinned, because if he were still pure, Rama's magic arrow would not be able to penetrate his skin, and the weapon would even turn against Rama.
After hearing Rama's explanation, Subali realized his sins and mistakes towards Sugriwa. He also apologized and asked Sugriwa to take good care of his son, Anggada. Subali also gave his blessing to Sugriwa to become king of Kiskenda. He finally died.
In wayang, even though Subali has his Aji Pancasu, his death has been determined by the Gods. And that knowledge will no longer work.
Blog: Hadisukirno – Yogyakarta – 2011
