Friday, January 1, 2010

Origin of Bali Strait

A long ago in the past, in the Daha kingdom there lived a Brahmin who named Sidi Mantera, whose miracle was very famous. Sanghyang Widya or Batara Guru endowed him property and a beautiful wife.


After years of marriage, they have a child whose name Manik Angkeran.

Although Manik Angkeran was a handsome and clever young man but he has an unfavorable nature, that like to gamble. He often lost, so he had risked his parents' wealth, even in debt to others. Unable to pay debts, Manik Angkeran asking for help from his father to do something. Sidi Mantera fasted and prayed for help of the gods.


Suddenly he heard a voice, "Hi, Sidi Mantra, in the crater of Mount Agung there is guarded treasure of a dragon named dragon Besukih. Go there and ask him to give a little treasure."


Sidi Mantera went to Mount Agung to overcome all obstacles. Arriving at the edge of the crater of Mount Agung, he sat cross-legged. As he rang the bell he casted a spell and summoned dragon Besukih.


Afterwards the dragon came out. After hearing his intention Sidi Mantra, dragon Besukih squirmed and the scales out of gold and diamonds. After saying thank you, Sidi Mantra excused himself. All acquisition of property given to Manik Angkeran with hope that he would not gamble again. Of course not long afterwards, the treasure was gone for a bet. Manik Angkeran once again asked for assistance from his father. Sidi Mantra of course refused to help his son.


Manik Angkeran heard from friends that the property was obtained from Mount Agung. Manik Angkeran know to get there he must cast a spell but he never learned about prayer and spells. So, he just brought a bell that was stolen from his father when he slept.


Once on the crater of Mount Agung, Manik Angkeran rang his bell. He was very thrilled when saw the dragon Besukih. After the Dragon heard Manik Angkeran’s intention, he said, "I will give property you wish for, but you must promise to change your ways. Do not gamble again. Remember the law of karma."

Manik Angkeran fascinated by gold, diamonds, and jewels in front of him. Suddenly there was malicious intent that may arise in his heart. Wanting to get more treasure, he cut the dragon’s tails when the dragon Besukih rotates back to its nest. Manik Angkeran fled immediately and were not overtaken by the dragon. But since the miracle of the dragon, Manik Angkeran burned to ashes when the dragon licked his tracks.


Hearing the death of his son, Sidi Mantra was very sad. Soon he visited the dragon Besukih and begged her son brought back to life. The dragon agreed in condition he get back his tail to normal. With a miracle, Sidi Mantra can restore the dragon’s tail. After Manik Angkeran had been revived, he apologized and promised to be a good person. Sidi Mantra knew that his son already repented but he also understood that they no longer could live together.


"You have to start a new life but not here," he said. In a second he was gone. Where he stood arised a water source that increasingly large and became a sea. With his cane, Sidi Mantra made the line that separated him with his son. Now the place become the strait that separates Java island with Bali island.

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The writer's note: Being not English native speaker, I do apologize for the grammatical mistakes. For the native speaker, I do appeal you to correct this writing.
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