Indonesia, modified influence of our epics.

The introduction to the book Serat Centhini narrates the influence of India, cultural and social, in Java and specially Bali, in particular, the Catur-kasta (the four social strata) and catur-asrama (the four stages of life)! It also holds that much of the original system has been forgotten. Earlier while a sudra was denied learning in the ancient hindu era, today he can boast of his academic qualifications, wealth and social status and at the same time say he is a sudra-papa. The author, Soewito Santoso thinks that it goes to show that they do not know what the word sudra-papa means.

The Indian influence extended to the objectives of life as well! Catur-warga, artha (wealth), kama (desire), dharmma (duty, religion, law) and moksha (union with god)!  All familiar words and thoughts for us! It is also said that Serat Centhini is a book similar to Ramayana and Mahabharata, providing all kinds of knowledge from lovemaking to marriage to warfare!

The author maintains that to understand serat centhini the reader (Indonesian!)  must be aware of these influences from Indian culture of yore. For instance, the belief prevalent in both hinduism and buddhism that human beings and deities existed in the same sphere is not found in islam. So it is the with idea of reincarnation, unheard of in islam.

We also learn about the way history gets modified with time and circumstance. For instance, the arrival of Aji Saka from India in the first century AD gets an islamic bias with time. In moslem  versions Aji Saka was referred to as a companion of prophet Muhammad who visited India on his way to Java and wrote Ramayana, Mahabharta and other works. Thus, a new face was provided for Hindu and Budhhist cultural elements in accordance to islamic principles.

I suppose I could end it here, but the fact that the story is named after Centhini a maid is interesting! While the author says he is not clear why it is so, but recalls that the fate of Rama, Lakshamana and Sita is deteremined by the whisper of Manthara, the maid of Kaikeyi.

Hopefully I will get back to this book later on. Serat Centhini would be a fascinating read! It is said to cover all aspects of knowledge that is needed for attaining the objectives of life in all the stages, an encyclopedia of Javanese knowledge.

A review: from www.othermalaysia.org!
Serat Centhini and the story of the Javanese life-journey:
The Serat Centhini brings together a collection of life-journey stories focused on three primary characters: Prince Jayengresmi, Prince Jayengsari and Princess Rancangkapti, the children of the ill-fated Sunan Giri whose kingdom was destroyed by the invading forces of Demak. The three royal siblings who are separated after the fall of their kingdom and the loss of their capital Sokorojo are forced to wander the length and breadth of Java, taking them along separate routes that bring them to Karang hermitage (in Sunda, West Java) to Ragajampi harbour, on the eastern most corner of Java bordering Bali. Other secondary characters like Mas Cabolang are also forced to travel across the island of Java as they find their way back to their lost kingdom and are finally re-united in the end.
Divided into several parts, these life-journey stories mirror the Javanese notion of the four major life-stages of the individual. Beginning with the stage of childhood and learning (brahmacarin) to young adulthood (grhastha) and ending with adulthood (wanaprestha) and old age (digambara).