Gara-gara

"A wise word is not anyone's personal property. Words of wisdom are not merely uttered by only the wise or those who have titles before or after their names. Every man has his own way and fashion to express his feeling. Some give it straightforward, others use parables to convey their argument or message effectively and in a better way to the listeners," the Moon opened a case upon conveying Basmalah and Salaam.

"The Wayang Universe most often uses parables. Not surprising, because the image of wayang is very down to earth and unique, appealing to the audience.

So, it was once told, the whole world was in complete darkness, the sea was stirred, the waves were as high as mountains, rising over the land. The oceans became dry so that all fishes and all inhabitants of the oceans were stung by the heat of the sun; unable to endure the pain, lost of shelter. An all-powerful earthquake, seven times a day, non-stop, mountains erupt, spewing lava, causing landslides, like the earth breaking at once, because of the magnitude and severity of the earthquake.

Sea water penetrated the land as if it would drown the entire earth's surface. The ocean waves hit the shore, rolling and sweeping away what they found, destroying what was on land. Disasters and calamities raged, so that, both all the birds in the sky and the animals on land, all suffered greatly because they couldn't find some food to eat. Dead, crushed, melted, dry, arid, barren, extinct all flora. The land becomes arid, even gaping into places and hiding places for venomous animals. Wild animals that inhabit the forest, run helter-skelter into the villages, so that the villagers became anxious and sad, gripped by unspeakable fear.

As dawn approached, the world became increasingly haunted, black clouds hung over the horizon, pitch black, and there was a loud screech like the roar of a lion and the laughter of a savage dragon. Really, the atmosphere was eerie in the dark. Lightning strikes, hurricanes, tempests arise: storms, tangles incite. Lightning creaked, thunder rumbled, one after another, clashed and struck. Hurricane was getting more and more furious, frightening like a power that rolled up and melt the earth. All men shocked and confused, seeking refuge in this chaos, calamity and commotion, each one of them scrambling, fleeing for safety.

Rishis were helpless, unable to chant, unable to do meditation, all were affected by disasters, even the mind became confused, they cried out, 'This is a sign of a time changed, this is a change from pathet 6 to pathet 9, this is a result of a cause, this is Gara-gara!'

They then sought refuge with the king, but the king himself was deeply saddened by the calamity and all the disasters befell the country. Disease outbreaks were rampant, plant pests attacked more ferociously, almost no plants lived, so there was a danger of starvation due to lack of food. The king had lost hope, he immediately prayed to the gods for help to immediately freed the world from riots and were willing to eliminate Gara-gara.

The gods became confused. Even though death could not reach their heads, but confusion gripped their feelings, they could only said, 'Why do all these happen?' So, with sadness and compassion, they descended on the earth, trying to help honest and pious people. But because Gara-gara didn't want to stop, it even peaked. It was so great and the enormity of calamity was rampant, so that it was able to reach and destroyed Suralaya. Balai Marcukunda was shaken, Lembu Andini's horn cracked. Naga Anantaboga's tail won't stop waging.

Selamatangkep Gate broke and collapsed because of it. Candradimuka Crater stirred, boiled, spewed lava, a flood of hot lava mixed with mud hit and run into Kahyangan so that the whole heaven was shattered. Widadaras and widadaris [nymphs], dewas and dewis [gods and goddesses], in a commotion for protection, took refuge to Sang Hyang Rudrapati.

But something strange happened. In the midst of the riots and calamity, there were two young dwarfs, having fun playing without noticing the commotion going on. One carried a three-pit coconut shell, as a place for food, and curtly he acted as if he was brave and able to dry up the waters of the ocean. Another one, holding a stick broom, and with a vengeance he acted as if he was capable of driving the wind and sweeping away the whole world. For a moment, when the two faced each other, they fought for the truth, each seeking his own justification, in such a way as to add to the enormity of Gara-gara.

After peaking, Gara-gara subsided. Then, arised a ray of reddish violet, which was majestic and sacred. Parallel to the disappearance of light, then on the eastern horizon appeared Insan Kamil, a human god. He stood like a stone stele, sits like a dune by the sea. He didn't move an inch. O, who is he? He who looked like a nyiru [rice sieve], rounded emitting light like the full moon? It's all vague. Could't be called a man because he had curvaceous breasts like a woman. Nor can he be said to be a woman, because his hair was curled like a real man. It's very difficult to describe. That was Kyai Lurah Badranaya a.k.a Sang Hyang Asmarasanta a.k.a Kyai Semar a.k.a Sang Hyang Ismaya. He rose to cut down Evil and uphold Justice.

Batara Guru determined that on Earth, there was something extra-ordinary happening. So, what was really happened? From the reports and lawsuits, there was a young woman, meditating in the middle of the sea. Therefore, by riding Lembu Andini, Batara Guru descended to Earth to investigate the truth. Above the sea, Batara Guru saw the beautiful Dewi Uma, meditating solemnly; the Batara felt awkward, especially when glancing at the goddess's flawless calf, it's so tempting, but then, it's up to you. Well, this is where the origin of the occurrence, 'Kama Salah,' the seed of calamity, and the birth of the evil Kala."

The Moon ended the parable by saying, "Since then, the world has been gripped by 'fear, restlessness, uncertainty, doubt' or what it is called 'Kalatidha' or the Era of Confusion. And Allah knows best."

Citations & References:
- Ir. Sri Mulyono, Wayang dan Filsafat Nusantara, CV Haji Masagung

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