Stories

Synopsis of stories featured on the walls of Javanese temples.

Bubuksah
2 brothers became ascetics, one was veg. & fasted, the other not. Buddha decides to test them and saya he will eat one. The slim brother says eat my fat brother the fat brother says you can eat me, I am ready to part with this world. Fat brother is true Buddhist. (at Panataran)
 
Jataka
Candi Borobudur and Mendut are only two of many temples that feature Jataka stories. These stories, first compiled in Pali, deal with the life of the previous life of Sakyamuni Gautama Buddha (543-483 BC). These stories have been compiled in various forms, but they are all part of the greater Buddhist Canon. The stories comprise fables, Buddhist classics and stories about the life and legends of the Buddha.  
Kresna
War between Kresna and giant Kalyawana. When cornered Kresna took refuge in a cave where king Mucukunda was sleeping. Kalayawana enters and mistakes Mucukunda for Kresna, Mucukunda became furious and killed Kalayawana with a flash of fire from his eyes. (at Jago)
Kunjarakarna
Story of Kunjarakarna during his visit to hell. K was a loyal disciple of god Wairocana and during his visit to hell sees a torture place which he is informed is for his friend Purnawijaya. On his return he urges this friend to study the Buddhist religion. Friend was redeemed and only spends ten days rather than thousands of years in hell. (at Jago)
Panji
Of Prince Panji. (at Panataran)
Parthayjna
Pandawa’s defeated and should leave Kingdom to stay in the forest for 15 years. During his wanderings Arjuna parted from his brothers and practiced asceticism on Mount Indrakila on his way to MI Arjuna met a girl who fell in love with him. He also met Dewi Sri, the God Kama and Goddess Ratih as well as Dwipayana, a hermit. End of relief: arrival of Arjuna on Mount Indrakila. (at Jago)
Ramayana - as shown on Candi Lara Jonggrang
The giant Rawana wreaks havoc on earth, five gods ask Lord Vishnu to decend and intercede. Ayodhya is the capital of Kucala, governed by king Dacaratha. His son by his first wife Kausalya is Rama who is about to be married. Just then Bagawan Wiswamitra visits, asking Rama's assistance in the fight against a giant. Rama, Wiswamitra and Rama's half brother Laksmana (mother is queen Sumitra) go into the forest where Rama kills all the giants. Janaka's daughter Sita looks on, and later Rama succeeds in winning Sita's hand in a svayambara (contest to win the hand of a princess).
They return to Ayodhya where Rama succeeds his father to the throne. This is not according to Dacaratha's promise to Kaikeyi, his second wife and mother of Bharata. Bharata should become king, and Rama is to be exiled for 14 years. Thus Rama and Sita set out for the forest, accompanied by Laksmana. Dacaratha dies of sorrow, and Bharata refuses to be crowned. Rama refuses Bharata's request to return and govern, and gives his sandals as substitute. The sandals are placed on the throne, and Bharata reigns in the place of Rama. In the forest giantess Curpanaka falls in love with Rama but is rebutted. Laksama cuts off her ears and nose, causing her to complain to her brother Rawana. Rawana has 10 heads and rules over Langka. Rawana abducts Sita in retalliation to the insult dealt to his sister. The abduction is done with the assistance of Rawana's friend Marici who turns himself into a golden deer. Sita asks Rama to catch the deer. Rama leaves the camp, and catches the deer who turns into a giant. At Rama's scream, Laksmana goes out to look for him, leaving Sita alone. When a brahman comes to aks for rice, Sita extends her hand which is seized by the brahman who turned out to be Rawana is disguise. As Rawana carries Sita off, Jatayu a Garuda bird and old friend of Dacaratha sees them and tries to extricate Sita without success. He does receive a ring from Sita. On returning, Rama is sad to discover Sita gone, and hears the full story from dying Jatayu. Rama and Laksmana proceed on their search for Sita. On the way they meet Hanuman the general of the army of apes of the Kingdom of Sugriwa whose kingdom has been usurped by his brother Walin. Rama helps him recover his kingdom in exchange for assistance in capturing Sita. Hanuman sets off for Langka to tell Sita about her impending release. However he is discovered and put into prison where his tail is burned by way of punishment. Hanuman escapes with his tail ablaze, setting the town ablaze in the process of his escape. The army of apes sets out for Langka and build a bridge for the army to cross. 
[above section on the Ciwa temple, continued on Brahma temple:] 
Rawana prepares for war against the advice of brother Wibisana who advises him to return Sita. Wibisana expresses allegiance to Rama. Rama sends the envoy Anggada to ask Sita back. Anggada is captured by Rawana's soldiers, mutilated and sent back. Rama prepares for war and a heavy battle follows. Another brother of Rawana, Kumbhakarna awakes from a deep sleep and enters the war but is killed. Finally Rawana is killed too. Bhagawan Wiswamitra and followers are pleased at the death of Rawana for now they can live in peace. Wibisana becomes king of Langka, and Rama and Sita return to Ayodhya accompanied by Laksmana. Bharata returns the throne to Rama and the country achieves prosperity. Sita is now expecting, and Rama doubts her purity following a long stay at the court of Langka. He sends her into exile without informing her. Laksmana takes her telling her the purpose of the journey on the way there. Sita is grief stricken but can do nothing but submit to her fate. Sita lives by herself in the forest once Laksmana leaves her. She wanders about until she reaches the hermitage of Mpu Walmiki (credited as the author of the Ramayana) where she gives birth to the twins Kuca and Lawa. The twins grow up to be great archers, and Sita dies. In death she is united with the goddess Pertiwi. The sons are told by Walmiki to look for their father in Ayodhya. Kuca and Lawa disguise themselves as troubadours and recite the Ramayana at the Acwamedha sacrifice that Rama is then celebrating. Surprised, Rama asks for the provenance of the story and is introduced to Walmiki. Rama is full of remorse, and decides to abdicate the throne to his two sons. Rama will retreat and return to heaven as Vishnu. Kuca is crowned King and Lawa becomes prime minister in a grand feast. [later Javanese versions eg. as shown on Panataran show that Rama forgives Sita in her lifetime when she proves her purity by walking through the fire] Return to Prambanan
Sri Tanjung (or Sudamala
[section 2] Poor nobleman Sidapaksa serves King Sukrarama. King sends Sidapaksa to forest to find medicine from an ascetic. S. meets ascetic's granddaughter Sri Tanjung and falls in love. The King is jealous and sends Sidapaksa to god Indra, wanting Indra to believe that Sidapaksa is bent on attacking heaving. Indra kills Sidapaksa who cries out the name of his father and uncle - two Pandawa brothers. Sri Tanjung hears the names and understands the ruse. Sidapaksa is in heaven and the king tries to seduce Sri Tanjung who desists nevertheless the King tells Sidapaksa that ST has been unfathful. Sidapaksa stabs ST to death, too late to realise his mistake. ST is carried to heaven by a seamonster. ST was not yet meant to be in heaven and is sent back to earth where she goes to her Fathers' hermitage. Her husband finds her. ST wants S. to kill the King, which he does and the couple is reunited. (at Panataran)
 
Tantri
Buddhist animal stories; jackals: victimised by their own arrogance. (at Jago)

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