Gandawardaya and Gandakusuma
Raden Gandawardaya and Raden Gandakusuma
This story tells the emergence of Raden Gandawardaya and Raden Gandakusuma, the sons of Raden Arjuna who were born from Dewi Jimambang and Dewi Gandawati. This story is a continuation of the play Sayembara Tasikmadu.
I processed and developed this story from the Serat Pustakaraja Purwa (Ngasinan) source compiled by Ki Tristuti Suryasaputra, which was combined with the writings of R. Subalidinata, with a little development as necessary.
Kediri, January 2018 - Heri Purwanto
Bambang Gandawardaya deceived by Priest Sangkuni
In the Hastina Kingdom, Prabu Duryudana was confronted by Prime Minister Sangkuni from Plasajenar, Danghyang Druna from Sokalima, Adipati Karna from Awangga, and Raden Kartawarma from Tirtatinalang. In the meeting, Prime Minister Sangkuni reported that he and the Kurawas had just met a young man named Bambang Gandawardaya. The Kurawas thought this young man was an enemy spy and they tried to capture him. However, the young man named Bambang Gandawardaya turned out to be very powerful and was able to overcome the Kurawas.
Prime Minister Sangkuni then asked what Bambang Gandawardaya's purpose was in entering the Hastina Kingdom. Bambang Gandawardaya replied that he was looking for his biological father named Raden Premadi. Prime Minister Sangkuni asked whether Bambang Gandawardaya knew what his father looked like. Bambang Gandawardaya replied that he had been abandoned by his father since he was still in the womb, so he never knew what the face of a person named Raden Premadi looked like. Hearing that, Patih Sangkuni's cunning mind immediately worked. He also said that Raden Premadi had become king in the Hastina Kingdom, with the title Prabu Duryudana. He then invited Bambang Gandawardaya to come to the palace.
Thus Patih Sangkuni told his story. He said that Bambang Gandawardaya was currently in the outer paseban with the Kurawas. Prabu Duryudana should pretend to have the real name Raden Premadi and accept him as a son. Danghyang Druna and Adipati Karna did not agree to hear Patih Sangkuni's proposal. It would be better to be honest with Bambang Gandawardaya, that Raden Premadi was the childhood name of Raden Arjuna who was currently in the Madukara Palace, the territory of the Amarta Kingdom.
Patih Sangkuni explained that this was an opportunity to set the Pandawas against their descendants. Bambang Gandawardaya was very powerful, and his powers could be used to attack the Amarta Kingdom. If the Pandawas lost, then this was an advantage for the Kurawas. On the other hand, if Bambang Gandawardaya died, then the Kurawa would not be harmed at all. Adipati Karna felt that this method was cunning and unchivalrous. However, Patih Sangkuni replied that war did not only use muscle and weapons, but also had to use reason and strategy. It did not matter whether it was called cunning or manly, what was important was the end result was victory and defeating the enemy. Prabu Duryudana was pleased to hear Patih Sangkuni's plan. He also agreed to the strategy and forbade Danghyang Druna and Adipati Karna from leaking it to Bambang Gandawardaya.
Bambang Gandawardaya was charged with killing the Pandawas
Because Prabu Duryudana had agreed, Patih Sangkuni went out to pick up Bambang Gandawardaya and invited him in. Prabu Duryudana welcomed the young man and acknowledged him as his son. He also said that when he was young, he had the name Raden Premadi.
Bambang Gandawardaya felt confused. He said that his mother had once told him about Raden Premadi's characteristics, namely that he had a handsome face and a medium body, neither fat nor thin. However, why was Prabu Duryudana fat and tall? Prabu Duryudana answered that men generally become fat after the age of forty. The most important thing was that his face remained handsome according to the characteristics told by Bambang Gandawardaya's mother.
Bambang Gandawardaya then asked if Prabu Duryudana still often remembered his mother? Prabu Duryudana immediately answered that he always remembered his wife. Bambang Gandawardaya immediately asked what his mother's name was. King Duryudana was immediately confused, because this young man was apparently setting him up.
Patih Sangkuni was not short of ideas. He also lied, that King Duryudana was a great king who had many wives and concubines everywhere. Of course, King Duryudana forgot to detail one by one who the women he had married were. Therefore, Bambang Gandawardaya should be the first to tell his origins. Moreover, it would be impolite for Bambang Gandawardaya to play guessing games with his own father.
Bambang Gandawardaya was persuaded by Patih Sangkuni's gentle and convincing words. He also confessed that his mother was Dewi Jimambang, the daughter of Bagawan Wilawuk in the Pringcendani Padepokan. His mother had once told him that Bambang Gandawardaya's biological father was Raden Premadi from the Hastina Kingdom. That was why Bambang Gandawardaya came today to meet his father. Unexpectedly, his father had now become a king, with the title Prabu Duryudana.
Prabu Duryudana said that he had never forgotten Dewi Jimambang. Unfortunately, he still had a big business that had not been finished yet. If that business had been finished, then he would definitely go to the Pringcendani Padepokan to pick up Dewi Jimambang. Bambang Gandawardaya asked what business was so burdensome for Prabu Duryudana. As a son, of course he wanted to help solve the problem.
Prabu Duryudana said that he had two enemies named Arya Wrekodara and Raden Arjuna who lived in the Amarta Kingdom. If only Bambang Gandawardaya could help capture or kill them, of course Prabu Duryudana would be very grateful. Hearing that, Bambang Gandawardaya immediately said he was willing. He also asked for permission to attack the Amarta Kingdom. Prabu Duryudana was very happy to hear that and he accepted Bambang Gandawardaya as a prince in the Hastina Kingdom. From then on, Bambang Gandawardaya could be called Raden Gandawardaya.
Raden Gandawardaya thanked Prabu Duryudana for his kindness. Before leaving, he intended to leave his wife in the Hastina Kingdom. The young man then silently recited a mantra. Suddenly, smoke came out of his ring and turned into a beautiful woman. The woman was Raden Gandawardaya's wife named Dewi Grantangsasi. Earlier when he was surrounded by the Kurawa, he deliberately hid his wife in the ring for safety. Now after meeting Prabu Duryudana, Dewi Grantangsasi was to be entrusted to him and of course it would be safer if she lived in the Hastina Kingdom.
Prabu Duryudana did not mind. He said he had two children named Raden Lesmana Mandrakumara and Dewi Lesmanawati. Let Dewi Grantangsasi live with her two in-laws in the palace.
Raden Gandawardaya thanked him. He then said goodbye to his wife to go attack the Amarta Kingdom. Dewi Grantangsasi asked to be invited along. However, Raden Gandawardaya objected because the opponent they faced was very strong, so it would be safer if his wife stayed in the Hastina Kingdom palace. Moreover, if Dewi Grantangsasi joined, Raden Gandawardaya's attention would be divided and he would not be able to fight wholeheartedly.
Dewi Grantangsasi could understand her husband's intentions. She could only let Raden Gandawardaya go with a prayer for victory. Prabu Duryudana then ordered Patih Sangkuni to escort the young man's departure with the Kurawa. After he felt it was enough, he then dismissed the meeting and brought Dewi Grantangsasi into the palace.
Raden Gandawardaya attacks the Amarta Kingdom
On the border of the Amarta Kingdom, Arya Wrekodara was practicing war with Raden Antareja and Raden Gatutkaca. He trained his two sons how to lead a large army, how to form formations, and also how to penetrate enemy lines.
Suddenly Raden Gandawardaya came with the Kurawas to attack them. Arya Wrekodara and his two sons were surprised because the Hastina Kingdom suddenly attacked without any reason. Even more surprising, it turned out that the Kurawas had a young man who was very powerful. The battle erupted. After fighting for quite a long time, Arya Wrekodara, Raden Antareja, and Raden Gatutkaca were finally paralyzed by the Aji Pedut Wisa deployed by Raden Gandawardaya. Raden Gandawardaya then handed over his three opponents to the Kurawas to be brought before Prabu Duryudana. Alone, he then continued his journey to find his second enemy, namely Raden Arjuna.
Raden Gandakusuma says goodbye to his mother and grandfather
In the Tasikmadu Kingdom, Prabu Gandasena was faced by his daughter and granddaughter, Dewi Gandawati and Raden Gandakusuma. Dozens of years ago, Prabu Gandasena held a contest to win Dewi Gandawati, namely through a match against his youngest son named Raden Citraganda. In the contest, Raden Citraganda was defeated by Raden Arjuna from the Pandawa family.
Raden Arjuna then married Dewi Gandawati who had a face similar to Dewi Angraeni (the wife of Prabu Palgunadi who committed suicide after rejecting Raden Arjuna's love). After Dewi Gandawati became pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy, Raden Arjuna said goodbye and returned to the Amarta Kingdom. His son was named Raden Gandakusuma.
Raden Gandakusuma was raised and raised by his uncle, Raden Citraganda. All of Raden Citraganda's affection was poured out on his nephew. However, after Raden Gandakusuma grew up, Raden Citraganda died of illness. Raden Gandakusuma really missed the uncle who had been like a father to him. This made him miss his biological father. So, he dared to ask his mother about who and where his biological father was.
Dewi Gandawati actually objected to Raden Gandakusuma leaving the Tasikmadu Kingdom. However, Raden Gandakusuma managed to convince his mother that he only wanted to meet his father, and after that return to the Tasikmadu Kingdom. Hearing that, Dewi Gandawati told him that Raden Gandakusuma's biological father was a Panengah Pandawa knight from the Amarta Kingdom, named Raden Arjuna. Hearing this story, Raden Gandakusuma became even more determined to meet him.
So, on that day Raden Gandakusuma said goodbye to Prabu Gandasena and Dewi Gandawati to leave for the Amarta Kingdom. Prabu Gandasena and Dewi Gandawati could not prevent it and could only give their blessing to the enthusiastic young man.
Raden Lesmana Mandrakumara seduce Dewi Grantangsasi
Meanwhile in the Hastina Kingdom, Dewi Grantangsasi, Raden Gandawardaya's wife, was sitting in the guest palace, waiting for her husband to return. Suddenly the crown prince, Raden Lesmana Mandrakumara, approached her. Not only did he approach her, but the whiny young man also dared to tease her in various ways.
Dewi Grantangsasi felt uncomfortable because Raden Lesmana Mandrakumara dared to seduce his own sister-in-law. The innocent and spoiled Raden Lesmana said frankly that Raden Gandawardaya had been lied to by his father. Prabu Duryudana and Raden Premadi were not the same person, or in other words, Raden Gandawardaya was not the son of Prabu Duryudana, so he was not Raden Lesmana Mandrakumara's brother either.
Dewi Grantangsasi was shocked to hear this. It turned out that her husband had been deceived by Prabu Duryudana and Patih Sangkuni. Seeing Dewi Grantangsasi hesitant and afraid, Raden Lesmana Mandrakumara became more aggressive in seducing her. He urged the woman to marry him, who was rich and also a future king. He also suggested that Dewi Grantangsasi leave a poor husband like Raden Gandawardaya.
Dewi Grantangsasi refused Raden Lesmana's request. This made Raden Lesmana angry and intended to rape the woman. Dewi Grantangsasi tried to avoid him while reciting the aji sirep spell that her husband had taught her. Once hit by the spell, Raden Lesmana immediately fell unconscious. Dewi Grantangsasi immediately used this opportunity to escape from the Hastina Kingdom.
The sirep knowledge that Dewi Grantangsasi had learned was not yet perfect. In a short time, Raden Lesmana Mandrakumara woke up from his sleep. However, he was confused because the woman he was about to rape had run away. With a spoiled whine, he then went to report to his father, namely Prabu Duryudana.
Raden Gandawardaya facing Raden Arjuna
Meanwhile, Raden Gandawardaya who had defeated Arya Wrekodara and his two children now met with Raden Arjuna. Upon learning that Raden Gandawardaya was an envoy from the Hastina Kingdom who wanted to capture him, Raden Arjuna became angry and accepted the young man's challenge.
So, a fight broke out between the two of them. Raden Arjuna initially underestimated the abilities of Raden Gandawardaya who was much younger than him. Because of this underestimation, he became careless and was cornered by his opponent's supernatural powers. Until finally, Raden Gandawardaya deployed Aji Pedut Wisa towards him. Raden Arjuna was shocked and almost paralyzed by the opponent's poisonous smoke. However, with Aji Saipi Angin he managed to escape.
Raden Arjuna who retreated from the fight then met Prabu Kresna who came from the Dwarawati Kingdom to visit the Pandavas. Raden Arjuna also reported that there was an enemy attacking him and had succeeded in capturing Arya Wrekodara, Raden Antareja, and Raden Gatutkaca. Frankly, Raden Arjuna lost and wanted to ask for help from Prabu Kresna. However, Prabu Kresna refused to intervene. He said that he was not destined to face the young man named Raden Gandawardaya. After saying that, Prabu Kresna then invited Raden Arjuna to go find a champion who could be used to face the Kurawa envoy.
Raden Gandakusuma facing Raden Gandawardaya
On the way to find a champion, Prabu Kresna and Raden Arjuna met Raden Gandakusuma who introduced himself as coming from the Tasikmadu Kingdom. How shocked Raden Arjuna was when he found out that this young man was his own son who was born from Dewi Gandawati. However, Prabu Kresna firmly said, Raden Gandakusuma would be recognized as the son of Pandawa if he was able to defeat Raden Gandawardaya.
Hearing the condition, Raden Gandakusuma immediately acted. He rushed forward and met Raden Gandawardaya who was chasing Raden Arjuna. The two young men then introduced themselves to each other. Raden Gandakusuma said that he would be the one to block Raden Gandawardaya if he still wanted to catch Raden Arjuna. Raden Gandawardaya was angry and attacked him. The two young men then engaged in a fierce fight.
Raden Gandawardaya was surprised to see Raden Gandakusuma so agile and able to keep up with him. Not only that, Raden Gandakusuma's supernatural powers were very similar to what he had learned. When Raden Gandawardaya deployed Aji Pedut Wisa, it turned out that Raden Gandakusuma was also able to deploy the same knowledge.
Raden Gandawardaya was also amazed, where did Raden Gandakusuma come from to be able to master Aji Pedut Wisa. Because he was daydreaming, Raden Gandawardaya became careless for a moment and Raden Gandakusuma acted quickly to capture his body.
Raden Gandakusuma confronted Raden Gandawardaya with Prabu Kresna and Raden Arjuna. Raden Gandawardaya, who had lost, asked to be sentenced to death. Prabu Kresna said that the matter of the death penalty was easy, what was important was that he first wanted to know where Raden Gandawardaya came from.
Raden Gandawardaya then told that he was the son of Raden Premadi and Dewi Jimambang. His father came from the Hastina Kingdom, and his mother was the daughter of Bagawan Wilawuk from the Pringcendani Padepokan. Prabu Kresna asked if Raden Gandawardaya already knew the face of his biological father. Raden Gandawardaya replied that he had met Raden Premadi who was now the king of the Hastina Kingdom, with the title Prabu Duryudana.
Prabu Kresna smiled and said that Raden Premadi was not another name for Prabu Duryudana, but rather the name of Raden Arjuna when he was young. In other words, the person Raden Gandawardaya wanted to arrest was his own father. Raden Gandawardaya did not believe it. He accused Prabu Kresna of lying to deceive him.
Raden Gandawardaya was visited by Bagawan Wilawuk
Raden Gandawardaya still insisted on being sentenced to death rather than being ashamed of meeting Prabu Duryudana and bringing defeat. However, before he died he wanted to ask Raden Gandakusuma first why he was able to deploy Aji Pedut Wisa. He did not want to die of curiosity because he was defeated by an enemy who had the exact same supernatural powers as him.
Raden Gandakusuma replied that since he was little he was raised and educated by his uncle named Raden Citraganda. Including Aji Pedut Wisa he also learned from his uncle. However, now his uncle has died and he went to look for his biological father, namely Raden Arjuna.
Raden Gandawardaya then asked where the late Raden Citraganda learned Aji Pedut Wisa. Raden Gandakusuma replied that his uncle had once told him that he had a teacher named Bagawan Wilawuk from the Pringcendani Padepokan. Raden Arjuna confirmed this. He said that Raden Citraganda had indeed studied with Bagawan Wilawuk.
Suddenly a person named Bagawan Wilawuk came. Raden Arjuna immediately bowed respectfully to his father-in-law. Raden Gandawardaya was surprised to see Raden Arjuna's attitude and he asked his grandfather what the real story was.
Bagawan Wilawuk said that the Raden Premadi that Raden Gandawardaya was looking for was the Raden Arjuna who was in front of him now. Raden Gandawardaya asked why Bagawan Wilawuk didn't tell him this from the start, so that he wouldn't get lost and take the wrong path. Bagawan Wilawuk apologized because he himself didn't know that Raden Premadi had now changed his name to Raden Arjuna.
Suddenly Dewi Grantangsasi came and told him that Prabu Duryudana was not Raden Gandawardaya's biological father. That was why Dewi Grantangsasi chose to run away from the Hastina Kingdom. Raden Gandawardaya cried with regret after hearing the explanation from his grandfather and wife. He also bowed to Raden Arjuna's feet and apologized for all his rudeness earlier.
Raden Gandawardaya frees Arya Wrekodara
Raden Arjuna woke up Raden Gandawardaya who was prostrating before him. However, Prabu Kresna prevented them from hugging. Prabu Kresna firmly said that the death penalty must still be carried out. Raden Gandawardaya was shocked but he surrendered his neck to be beheaded. Prabu Kresna then said that the death penalty could be abolished as long as Raden Gandawardaya was able to free Arya Wrekodara and his two sons.
Hearing that, Raden Gandawardaya immediately rushed to chase the Kurawas. Raden Gandakusuma did not want to be left behind. He also chased behind his brother. The two young men finally managed to catch up with Patih Sangkuni and the Kurawas who were on their way home to the Hastina Kingdom carrying the three prisoners.
Along the way, the Kurawas beat Arya Wrekodara, Raden Antareja, and Raden Gatutkaca who were still weak due to the influence of Aji Pedut Wisa. Suddenly Raden Gandawardaya and Raden Gandakusuma appeared to block them. The two young men together used the Aji Pedut Wisa antidote. Arya Wrekodara and his two sons recovered and immediately rebelled to free themselves from their bonds.
Patih Sangkuni and the Kurawas were shocked and frightened. However, in an instant they had been beaten and beaten by Arya Wrekodara and his two sons. In a battered state, they chose to run away from the place towards the Hastina Kingdom.
Arya Wrekodara who was still angry intended to avenge Raden Gandawardaya's actions. However, Prabu Kresna and Raden Arjuna came to stop him. Prabu Kresna then introduced who Raden Gandawardaya really was and now all misunderstandings were over.
Raden Arjuna stepped forward to hug Raden Gandawardaya and Raden Gandakusuma with a feeling of emotion. Dewi Grantangsasi was also happy to see her husband had reunited with his real father and brother. She said that she had a twin sister named Dewi Grantangsari who she hoped would be able to marry Raden Gandakusuma. Raden Arjuna was happy to hear it and approved of it. He then invited the three of them and also Bagawan Wilawuk to stop by the Indraprasta palace, to meet the other Pandavas.
NOTE: There are two versions that I have read about the birth mothers of Gandawardaya and Gandakusuma. The first version, they are the children of Gandawati, while the second version is the children of Jimambang. I also chose the middle way, where I told Gandawardaya as the child of Jimambang, while Gandakusuma was the child of Gandawati. I also developed the story by telling that Citraganda was a student of Bagawan Wilawuk.
Source: albumkisahwayang.blogspot.com – 2018 - Heri Purwanto
