Batak

Further information: Traditional Batak religion The Batak creation myth has many versions. Large collections of Batak tales were recorded by European scholars in their own languages (mostly Dutch) beginning in the mid-19th century.[4] At the beginning of time there was only the sky with a great sea beneath it. In the sky lived the gods and the sea was the home of a mighty underworld dragon Naga Padoha. The earth did not yet exist and human beings, too, were as yet unknown. At the beginning of creation stands the god Mula Jadi Na Bolon. His origin remains uncertain. A rough translation of the name is the "beginning of becoming". Everything that exists can be traced to him. Mula Jadi lives in the upper world, which is usually divided into seven levels. His three sons, Batara Guru, Mangalabulan and Soripada were born from eggs laid by a hen fertilized by Mula Jadi. Two swallows act as messengers and helpers to Mula Jadi in his act of creation. Their functions vary in the different versions. Mula Jadi begets three daughters whom he gives as wives for his three sons. Mankind is the result of the union of the three couples. Besides the three sons of Mula Jadi another god, Asiasi, has only unclear place and function. There is some evidence that Asiasi can be seen as the balance and unity of the trinity of gods.[4] The ruler of the underworld, i. e. the primeval sea, is the serpent-dragon Naga Padoha. He too existed before the beginning and seems to be the opponent of Mula Jadi. As ruler of the underworld Naga Padoha also has an important function in the creation of the earth.[4] All these six gods play a minor role in ritual. They do not receive sacrificial offerings from the faithful and no places of sacrifice are built for them. They are merely called on in prayers for help and assistance.[5] The origin of the earth and of mankind is connected mainly with the daughter of Batara Guru, Sideak Parujar, who is the actual creator of the earth. She flees from her intended husband, the lizard-shaped son of Mangalabulan, and lets herself down on a spun thread from the sky to the middle world, which at that time was a watery waste. She refuses to go back, but feels very unhappy. Out of compassion Mula Jadi sends his granddaughter a handful of earth so that she can find somewhere to live. Sideak Parudjar was ordered to spread out this earth and thus the earth became broad and long. But the goddess was not able to enjoy her rest for long. The earth had been spread out on the head of Naga Padoha, the dragon of the underworld who lived in the water. He groaned under the weight and attempted to get rid of it by rolling around. The earth was softened by water and was almost destroyed. With the help of Mula Jadi and by her own cunning Sideak Parudjar was able to overcome the dragon. She thrust a sword into the body of Naga Padoha up to the hilt and laid him in an iron block. Whenever Naga Padoha twists in its fetters an earthquake occurs. After the lizard-shaped son of Mangalabulan, the husband the gods intended for her, had taken another name and another form, Sideak Parujar marries him. She becomes the mother of twins of opposite sexes. When the two have grown up their divine parents return to the upper world, leaving the couple behind on the earth. Mankind is the result of their incestuous union. The couple settle on Pusuk Buhit, a volcano on the western shore of Lake Toba, and found the village of Si Anjur Mulamula. The mythological ancestor of the Batak, Si Raja Batak is one of their grandchildren.[6]

General beliefs and practices

Acintya is the Supreme God in Balinese Hinduism. Practitioners of Agama Hindu Dharma share many common beliefs, which include:

A belief in one supreme being called 'Ida Sanghyang Widi Wasa', 'Sang Hyang Tunggal', or 'Sang Hyang Acintya'. God Almighty in the Torajanese culture of Central Sulawesi is known as "Puang Matua" in Aluk to dolo belief. A belief that all of the gods are manifestations of this supreme being. This belief is the same as the belief of Smartism, which also holds that the different forms of God, Vishnu, Siva are different aspects of the same Supreme Being. Lord Shiva is also worshipped in other forms such as "Batara Guru" and "Maharaja Dewa" (Mahadeva) are closely identified with the Sun in local forms of Hinduism or Kebatinan, and even in the genie lore of Muslims.[1] A belief in the Trimurti, consisting of: o Brahma, the creator o Wisnu or Vishnu, the preserver o iwa or Shiva, the destroyer A belief in all of the other Hindu gods and goddesses (Hyang, Dewata and Batara-Batari)

The sacred texts found in Agama Hindu Dharma are the Vedas. They are the basis of Balinese Hinduism. Other sources of religious information include the Puranas and the Itihasa (mainly Ramayana and the Mahabharata). One of Hinduism's primary ethical concerns is the concept of ritual purity. Another important distinguishing feature, which traditionally helps maintain ritual purity, is the division of society into the traditional occupational groups, or varna of Hinduism: Brahmins (priests, brahmana in Indonesian), Kshatriya (rulerwarriors, satriya or "Deva"[2] in Indonesian), Vaishya (merchants-farmers, waisya in Indonesian), and Shudra (commoners-servants, sudra in Indonesian). Like Islam and Buddhism, Hinduism was greatly modified when adapted to Indonesian society. The caste system, although present in form, was never rigidly applied. The epics Mahabharata (Great Battle of the Descendants of Bharata) and Ramayana (The Travels of Rama), became enduring traditions among Indonesian believers, expressed in shadow puppet (wayang) and dance performances. The Indonesian government has recognized Hinduism as one of the country's six officially sanctioned monotheistic religions, along with Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism and Confucianism.[3] However the government do not recognize indigenous tribal belief systems as official religion. As a result, followers of various native animistic religions such as Dayak Kaharingan have identified themselves as Hindu in order to

avoid pressure to convert to Islam or Christianity. Several native tribal beliefs such as Sundanese Sunda Wiwitan, Torajan Aluk To Dolo, and Batak Malim although different than Indian influenced Balinese Hinduism might sought affiliations with Hinduism in order to survive, while in the same time also tried preserving their distinction to mainstream Indonesian Hinduism dominated by Balinese. Furthermore, Indonesian nationalists have laid great stress on the achievements of the Majapahit Empire a Hindu state which has helped attract certain Indonesians to Hinduism. These factors have led to a certain resurgence of Hinduism outside of its Balinese stronghold.

Batara Guru
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Bathara Guru Batara Guru (also called Bathara Guru and Debata Batara Guru) is the name of a supreme god in several Indonesian mythologies. His name appears to be derived from Sanskrit Bhattara, which means "noble lord" and Guru, epithet of Bhaspati, a Hindu god who is a regent and identified with the planet Jupiter.[1]

Contents

1 Batara Guru in Batak mythology 2 Batara Guru in Buginese mythology 3 In Javanese mythology 4 References 5 See also 6 External links

Batara Guru in Batak mythology

Batara Guru is one of the Debata na Tolu (trinity gods), that rule Banua Ginjang (upper world, the realm of the gods). He and his brothers - Debata Sori Pada and Debata Mangala Bulan - were born from three eggs hatched by a divine giant hen, Manuk Patia Raja, an avatar of Debata Asi Asi. He married a goddess named Siboru Porti Bulan and has two sons (Mula Songta and Mula Songti) and two daughters (Siboru Sorba Jati and Siboru Deak Parujar). Later, Siboru Deak Parujar married Siraja Odap Odap and bore children who became the ancestors of the human beings that inhabit Banua Tonga (middle world, i.e. the Earth).[2] The omnipotent god Mula Jadi na Bolon gave Batara Guru wisdom, juridical law, royal law, knowledge and the ability to control destiny and the fate of mortals. His realm stretched from Bukit Siunggas to Bukit Parsambilan, and included the seven floored heaven where the sacred tree Hari Ara grows. Batara Guru is depicted wearing a black robe and, on his head, a three colored big boat shaped turban called "Talungkup". He rides a black horse while in his hand he bears a scale called "Gantang Tarajuan". He has a black crow and Nanggar Jati bird. He also has the ability to give human beings life, and to open their ears so that they can distinguish good from bad words (source: Mythology of Batak (Indonesian pages)). According to the source above, the children of Batara Guru are listed as follows (beyond Dalihan na Tolu law): 1. 2. 3. 4. Mula Songta married Nan Bauraja, daughter of Debata Sori Pada and Siboru Malimbim Mula Songti married Narudang Ulubegu, daughter of Debata Sori Pada and Siboru Malimbim Siboru Sorba Jati married Naga Padoha, son of Debata Mangala Bulan and Siboru Anggarana Siboru Deak Parujar married Siraja Odap Odap, son of Debata Mangala Bulan and Siboru Anggarana

Batara Guru in Buginese mythology

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2013) According to Sureq Galigo, Batara Guru was a god, the son of Sang Patotoqe and Datu Palingeq, who was sent to earth to cultivate it as human being. His divine name was La Togeq Langiq. He had at least ten children from his five concubines, but only one son from his beloved consort, We Nyiliq Timoq. He is the father of Batara Lattuq and grand father of Sawerigading, the main characters in the Buginese mythology story, Sureq Galigo. He is also the father of Sangiang Serri, the goddess of rice and fertility in Buginese mythology. The children of Batara Guru (according to Sureq Galigo) are: 1. 2. 3. 4. We Oddang Nriuq (a.k.a Sangiang Serri) by We Saung Nriuq, his concubine La Pangoriseng by We Leleq Ellung, his concubine La Temmalureng by We Saung Nriuq La Temmalolo (twin brother of La Temmalureng) by We Saung Nriuq

5. La Lumpongeng by Apung Talaga, his concubine 6. La Pattaungeng by Tenritalunruq, his concubine 7. We Temmaraja by Apung Ritoja, his concubine 8. La Tenriepeng by We Saung Nriuq 9. La Temmaukkeq by We Leleq Ellung 10. La Sappe Ilek by Apung Talaga 11. La Tenrioddang by Tenritalunruq 12. Batara Lattuq by We Nyiliq Timoq, his beloved consort

In Javanese mythology
According to Javanese mythology, Batara Guru is a dewa that rules kahyangan, the realm of the gods. He is an avatar of Shiva that gives revelations, gifts and abilities. Batara Guru has a shakti (consort) named Dewi Uma and begat some children. In wayang kulit, Batara Guru is the only character whose feet face forward, with four hands, pointed canine teeth, a blue neck and paralyzed legs. He always rides his vahana, Nandini the cow, and is also known by several names including Sang Hyang Manikmaya, Sang Hyang Caturbuja, Sang Hyang Otipati, Sang Hyang Jagadnata, Nilakanta, Trinetra, Girinata.[citation needed] Batara Guru has two brothers, Sang Hyang Maha Punggung and Sang Hyang Ismaya.[3][4][5] Their parents are Sang Hyang Tunggal and Dewi Rekatawati. One day, Dewi Rekatawati laid a shining egg. Sang Hyang Tunggal transformed the egg using his abilities. Its shell turned into Sang Hyang Maha Punggung, the firstborn. The egg white turned into Sang Hyang Ismaya (Semar), and its yolk turned into Sang Hyang Manikmaya. Later, Sang Hyang Tunggal appointed two elders to look after humans, especially Pandava, while Batara Guru (also known as Sang Hyang Manikmaya) led the gods in kahyangan.[citation needed] The children of Batara Guru are listed as follows, from the firstborn downwards (according to Javanese wayang tradition):[citation needed] 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Batara Sambu Batara Brahma Batara Indra Batara Bayu Batara Wisnu Batara Kala Hanoman