Origins of Buleleng and Singaraja | Balinese Folklore | Archipelago Story

Summary

In ancient Klungkung Bali, King Sri Bagening marries his servant, Ni Luh Pasek, to quell jealousy among his other wives. They have a son, I Gede Pasekan, who grows strong and popular. Fearing his influence, the king sends him to his mother's village to continue his training. Along the way, I Gede Pasekan performs miraculous acts, including summoning water from the earth and rescuing a stranded ship. His fame spreads, leading to his rise as a powerful king, founding the Buleleng Kingdom and Singaraja Palace, marking his transformation from a young man to a legendary ruler.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sri Bagening, the king of Klungkung Bali, marries Ni Luh Pasek, a servant, due to an incident, which causes jealousy among his other wives.
• 😀 To avoid conflict in the palace, King Sri Bagening gives his youngest wife, Ni Luh Pasek, to his loyal governor, Arya Jelantik, with strict orders.
• 😀 Ni Luh Pasek gives birth to a son, I Gede Pasekan, whose crown is red and glowing, symbolizing his future power and fame.
• 😀 I Gede Pasekan grows up strong, wise, and kind, becoming a popular figure among the people, which worries King Sri Bagening.
• 😀 The king, fearing that I Gede Pasekan’s influence will overshadow his own, sends him to his mother’s village to further his knowledge.
• 😀 On his journey, I Gede Pasekan helps his guards when they choke on ketupat, summoning water from the ground using the sacred keris, Kitarsemang.
• 😀 A giant named Panji Landung appears to I Gede Pasekan during his journey, predicting that he will one day rule a vast kingdom.
• 😀 I Gede Pasekan arrives at Panji Village and goes to Penimbangan beach, where he helps Mpu Awang free a shipwrecked vessel using his magical powers.
• 😀 In gratitude for his help, Mpu Awang gives I Gede Pasekan all the treasures from the ship, making him rich and famous.
• 😀 I Gede Pasekan becomes a powerful king, known as Ki Barak Panji Sakti, and establishes the Buleleng Kingdom with the magnificent Singaraja Palace.

Q & A

What is the significance of I Gede Pasekan's red crown?

The red crown symbolizes I Gede Pasekan's future power and fame, marking him as someone destined for greatness.

Why did King Sri Bagening marry Ni Luh Pasek to Arya Jelantik?

King Sri Bagening married Ni Luh Pasek to Arya Jelantik because he felt too old to be her husband and wanted to prevent jealousy among his other wives.

What was King Sri Bagening's main concern regarding I Gede Pasekan?

King Sri Bagening was worried that I Gede Pasekan's popularity and influence among the people would overshadow his own authority.

How did I Gede Pasekan miraculously provide water for his troops?

I Gede Pasekan used his sacred keris, the Kitarsemang dagger, to strike the ground, causing water to gush out and relieve the soldiers who were choking.

What was the name of the temple built around the spring of water?

The temple built around the water spring was named Pura Tirta Ketipat, or Pura Yeh Ketipat.

Who is Panji Landung, and what role does he play in I Gede Pasekan's journey?

Panji Landung is a giant who appears to I Gede Pasekan and shows him a vision of the lands that will one day become his kingdom, foretelling his future as a great king.

What message did the giant Panji Landung give to I Gede Pasekan?

Panji Landung told I Gede Pasekan that he would one day become a great king and that the lands he saw would be his territory.

How did I Gede Pasekan help Mpu Awang and what did he receive in return?

I Gede Pasekan helped Mpu Awang by using his magical powers to free his ship from the rocks. In return, Mpu Awang gave him all the treasures on the ship.

What title did I Gede Pasekan earn after becoming king?

After becoming king, I Gede Pasekan was given the title Ki Barak Panji Sakti, or Ki Barak Gusti Ngurah Panji.

What is the significance of the Singaraja Palace in I Gede Pasekan's reign?

The Singaraja Palace, built in the middle of a forest, symbolized I Gede Pasekan's power and was the seat of his rule over the Buleleng Kingdom.