Template:Matswapati
Matswapati – (Prabu) – Mahabharata
Prabu Matswapati was the binatara (great) king of the Wirata country, a king who ruled all kings. He was also the oldest king in the Mahabharata epic. The Wirata country was considered the oldest country in the Purwa era. Prabu Matswapati loved the Pendawa family very much. In the Baratayuda war he sided with the Pendawa and became their leader and advisor.
His three sons, Raden Seta, Raden Utara and Raden Wratsangka were heroes of the Wirata country. In the Baratayuda war they took turns leading the war but all three died in succession. His younger daughter Dewi Utari married Arjuna’s son Raden Angkawijaya (Abimanyu). From their marriage was born Parikesit who later, after the Bharatayuda war, became the heir to the throne of Hastinapura after replacing Prabu Puntadewa.
At the end of the story of Wiratha Parwa (see the story of Jagal Abilawa), he promised the five Pandhawa Brothers that he would help them in the Bharatayuda war.
First, he sent Dewi Kunthi Talibrata and Drupada to go to Astina Kingdom and ask for the return of the kingdom to five Pandhawa brothers. During this meeting, King Duryudana did not concede his kingdom to its rightful rulers. In this story, King Duryudana and his followers humiliated Dewi Kunthi Talibrata by embarrassing her in the meeting. She did not go back to Pandhawa’s brother, but she decided that she would go to her brother in law Raden Widura’s in the kingdom of Pagombakan until the Bharatayuda war began. The Korawa brothers (98 Duryudana’s brothers) destroyed Drupada’s chariot during this story, leaving Drupada with no other way to get back to the Wiratha Kingdom other than by foot. The second ambassador from King Madswapati was Kresna accompanied by Setyaki (see the story of Raden Setyaki).
Prabu Matswapati lived a very long time --- up to five generations, from the time of Resi Palasara to the time of King Parikesit. After Parikesit --- his grandson, Dewi Utari's son with Abhimanyu, was crowned king of Astinapura state replacing King Kalimataya/Puntadewa, King Matswapati felt that his life's work in the world was finished.
He and his wife, Dewi Rekatawati, returned to goldfish, which were then anchored in the Ganges River.
Source: History of Wayang Purwa - Hardjowirogo - PN Balai Pustaka – 1982
Blog: Hadisukirno – Yogyakarta 2011
