JAYABAYA: The Journey of Being a Legend
Dhanudara Maharesi

Hearing the question, Maharesi Dhanudara smiled faintly without speaking a word. He actually stepped closer to the group of Katong Hill College.

"Om Swastyastu's..

If I'm not mistaken, you're all Katong Hill School students. What's the need to come here?", asked Maharesi Dhanudara politely.

"I'm sorry if our arrival here interferes with the Monastery of Mount Ungaran..

I am Sadewa, a student of Katong Hill School. We were forced to trouble the Ungaran Mountain Hermitage in order to make a place for us to rest. Just now we were fighting against the robbers and some of us were injured. If allowed, we want to rest at the Ungaran Mountain Hermitage to restore the condition of our bodies" said Sadewa with his polite attitude.

"It would be an honor for us to help a fellow human being in need. Moreover, all of you are students of my good friends, of course I don't mind.

Peira, Chitraka..

Take them all to the guest hall. Do not forget to prepare food and drinks for them", Maharesi Dhanudara turned to look at his two best students.

"Both the Great Brahmins" said Janadi and Chitraksa simultaneously. Then the two immediately invited the whole company to follow him.

When Jaka Umbaran passed through the place of Maharesi Dhanudara, suddenly the inner consciousness of the old brahmin was immediately aroused. He immediately watched Jaka Umbaran closely. When he saw a chakra-shaped birthmark on the handsome young man's right back, he was immediately flabbergasted to see her. But he immediately mastered his feelings and slightly bowed his body to the Swordsman of Mount Lawu.

"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya's..

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya", said Maharesi Dhanudara lirih with a meaningful smile.

Janadi and Chitraksa drove the Katong Hill College group to a house slightly separated from other buildings in the Ungaran Mountain Hermitage. The building was built on a piece of land with a width of about 10 cubits and a length of almost 20 cubits. Weighing the leaves of the three-leafed dry reeds, the wooden building with andesite stone pedestals looks sturdy standing. There is a door of the house carved with the head of the makara with the decoration of two dragons facing each other until this house looks magnificent despite being at the foot of Mount Ungaran.

There are five bedrooms inside. Sadewa, Locana and Jaka Umbaran get a room to rest, while Niluh Wuni and Sekar Kantil have various rooms located at the end. The other students of Katong Hill College, held pandan leaf mats in the living room which was spacious enough for their resting places all.

"Please rest, my brothers all. For dinner, we'll be delivered here. If anything is needed, you can look for me or Adhi Chitraksa.

Excuse me", Janadi said, bowing slightly with Chitraksa before the two left the place. After the two left, everyone immediately went to rest. Shedding their tired bodies after a grueling journey and fight.

*****

At that time, the Government of Panjalu was under construction. Under the rule of Prabu Bameswara, the kingdom of Panjalu grew into a kingdom that became a producer of merchandise that sold well in the archipelago, such as rice and palawija. This is thanks to the development arrangements promoted in various regions such as the Duchy of Anjuk Ladang, the Duchy of Kembang Kuning, the Duchy of Kalingga and the Duchy of Paguhan.

Although it was swept by natural disasters in the form of Mount Kelud which erupted and ravaged several regions such as the Duchy of Selopenangkep (a combination of the region between the Duchy of Seloageng and the Land of Perdikan Lodaya), Gelang-gelang Regency, Kayuwarajan Kadiri, and, part of Karang Anom Duchy and a small part of Singhapura Duchy, but slowly but surely the development and economy in the affected areas recovered.

Lots of new waterways are built for agricultural purposes, as well as some reservoirs that serve as water supplies in the dry season. Slowly the affected areas are re-enjoying prosperity through agriculture promoted by the central government in Kotaraja Daha.

During the reign of Prabu Bameswara, art and writing began to develop rapidly in the Kingdom of Panjalu. The emergence of several poets and poets in several regions, especially around Kayuwarajan Kadiri, made their civilization step by step forward to the next round.

That day, the rulers of the Kingdom of Panjalu were receiving annual grand pisowanan from the regional rulers in the Panjalu region as a form of their obedience and loyalty to the Maharaja of Panjalu.

Among those present, there was the Regent of Panji Manggala Seta Bracelets along with Patih Dyah Sumantri, Duke of Anjuk of Sasrabahu Farm (he was judged innocent after the rebellion of Mpu Sena ), Duke Rangggageni (substitute for Duke of Windupati who participated in the rebellion), Duke Muria Balawisesa (son of Duke Balapati ), Duke of Bojonegoro Panji Brajanata (son of Mapanji Jayawarsa who received pardon from Prabu Bameswara ), Duke of, Adipati Matahun Cayaraja (nephew of the elder concubine Ratna Pitaloka ), Adipati Tanggulangin Krisnamurthi, Adipati Lewa Wangsakerta, Adipati Wengker Warok Surojaya (son of the deceased Duke of Suropati ), Duke of Matahun Natanegara, Duke, The ailing Duke of Lasem Ardhaprabu is represented by his younger brother Patih Aradea, Duke of Kembang Kuning Dewanata (son of the deceased Duke of Dewangkara), Duke Kalingga Aghnisuta (son of Duke Aghnibhaya who was also sister-in-law of Prabu Bameswara of Empress Ayu Ratna ), Duke of Bhumi Sambara Dadung Amuksa, Duke of Rajapura Mpu Gopala and Adipati Paguhan Lokawijaya (son of Duke Lokananta who has died ).

As for the territory of the Duchy of Selopenangkep which should be the right of Prince Mapanji Jayabhaya, still ruled directly by Prabu Bameswara through Patih Naratama. Although finally Rara Kinanti has given birth to a son named Mapanji Lodaya, but this little prince is not old enough to carry out the duties as regional leader.

Queen Dyah Kirana, along with empress Ayu Ratna, Song Zhao Meng and Rara Kinanti sat in a slightly lower seat under the throne. Three of the king's concubines - Gayatri, Luh Jingga and Endang Patibrata - were below them. While the daughter of the king's daughter sat neatly under the king's concubines.

On the left right of Prabu Bameswara there is Makatih Mpu Ludaka who replaced the position of Mapatih Warigalit who has fallen into practicality and chose to live as a hermit on Mount Wilis in preparation for facing the realm of eternity. Mpu Gumbreg who faithfully accompanied the journey of the king was appointed as Wredamantri or the king's advisory council. The loyal followers of Prabu Bameswara such as Tumenggung Landung, Tumenggung Rajegwesi and Rakryan Purusoma also get a rank equivalent to Gumbreg.

For the three offices of Mahamantri or vice-king, all of them are vacated for the sake of the establishment of the prevailing rules. This is because in the Book of Law of Kutara Manawa, Mahamantri is the one who has the right to be king if the king dies.

The leadership of Panjalu soldiers is now held by Senopati Agung Narasuta, the son of the former senopati lama Narapraja who has died. To a lesser extent, there are two other senopati who also lead half of the Panjalu army namely Senopati Lesmana son of Jarasanda and Senopati Sembada.

Lower officials such as Demung and Juru were also present in this grand palace. They sat cross-legged neatly behind the Senopati.

One by one the local rulers reported the results of their work for one year each to the Maharaja of Panjalu. They also showed the produce they offered as tribute to the king who became a sign of their loyalty to Sri Maharaja Rakai Siri Sri Bameswara Parakrama Digjaya Uttunggadewa.

After Duke Paguhan Lokawijaya as the last to convey his report, Prabu Bameswara was silent for a moment without saying a word.

"From all the reports submitted by all of you, I conclude a few things. First, there are some reports that say that in some areas, namely Wengker, Karang Anom, and Anjuk Farm there are some robbery problems. Therefore, I ask that the affected regional leaders must immediately address this issue so as not to create the impression that the central government allows such a thing to happen.

Second, reports from several areas on the border both in the east and west showed strange things that seemed to threaten the peace of the people of Panjalu. I request that the Duke of Paguhan, Kalingga and Rajapura prepare a fast-moving special force that can be used at any time if something happens. As for the eastern region, such as Matahun, Singhapura, Selopenangkep and Bojonegoro are also asked to do the same thing so as not to be overwhelmed when Jenggala re-create the plague", said Prabu Bameswara.

"Sendiko dawuh Gusti Prabu" said everyone in the place at the same time.

After hearing the answers of everyone present, Prabu Bameswara immediately returned to sit on his throne. Patih Ludaka immediately got up from his seat. He worshipped three times at Prabu Bameswara before turning around and speaking.

One by one the regional leaders began to retreat from the Grand Pendopo of Kotaraja Daha Palace. Since reigning, the center of government of the Kingdom of Panjalu turned to the old palace. While Katang-katang Palace is only used as a residence for the surviving wives of Prabu Jayengrana.

When the Prabu Jayengrana died, Dewi Anggarawati, Dewi Naganingrum and Ayu Galuh burned themselves as part of the Sati ritual for widows left dead by their husbands. Only Ratna Pitaloka and Dewi Srimpi are still alive, while Sekar Mayang and Cempluk Rara Sunti died shortly after Prabu Jayengrana died.

After the retreat of the regional rulers left the Pendopo Agung Kotaraja Daha Palace, the next nayaka the kings of Kotaraja Daha Palace who retreated left the place. Leave Prabu Bameswara and his wives and children who are still loyal to accompany the ruler of the Kingdom of Panjalu. Also Mapatih Mpu Ludaka and Mahamantri Mpu Gumbreg who did not leave the place even though the other retainers had resigned.

Seeing Prabu Bameswara slightly pensive, Mapatih Mpu Ludaka immediately spoke up.

"What is Gusti Prabu? The servant noticed from earlier, Gusti Prabu Bameswara was pensive as if he was thinking something" said Mpu Ludaka while respecting the Maharaja of Panjalu.

"It is a very true talk of Mpu Ludaka, Gusti Prabu..

What's weighing on Gusti Prabu Bameswara's mind? Tell us, who knows we can help solve the problem that is being faced by Gusti Prabu", said Mpu Gumbreg immediately.

"There's nothing Uncle Ludaka, Uncle Gumbreg..

It's just that if my son Mapanji Jayabhaya is here, of course he'll help me deal with a little problem like this. Unfortunately he.", Prabu Bameswara did not continue his speech because the sobs of Dyah Kirana had been heard.

Prabu Bameswara immediately approached the queen and immediately embraced the body of the beautiful woman who was still sitting in her chair.

"I'm sorry Dinda Queen..

I don't mean to pry old wounds about our son" Prabu Bameswara said as he stroked his wife's head.

"But I'm sure Jayabhaya is still alive Kangmas Prabu. I can still feel the air of his existence even though it is only vague", replied Dyah Kirana on the sidelines of her sobs.

"I believe you, Dinda Kirana", Prabu Bameswara again stroked the head of the wife to relieve her emotions that always ignited when talking about Mapanji Jayabhaya.

Mpu Gumbreg and Mpu Ludaka could only sigh heavily at the somber look of his Kotaraja Daha Palace since the disappearance of Mapanji Jayabhaya 18 years ago.

*****

Hattcchhhiiiiii...

Haaaattttchhhhhiiiiihhhh...

"Grabbing, you have a fever?", Niluh Wuni who was near this young swordsman immediately turned his head when he heard Jaka Umbaran sneezing repeatedly.

"Ah no..

I just sneeze normally. What does this have to do with fever?", Jaka Umbaran cleans the clear water coming out of his nose.

"Usually when people have a fever it starts with sneezing repeatedly" replied Niluh Wuni immediately.

"Sok knows you ...

It's just because of the hole in my nose. If it is sneezing repeatedly, said the teacher, there are people who are talking about us", replied Jaka Umbaran while sitting his ass on a wooden chair in the porch of the Mount Ungaran Hermitage guest hall.

"You still believe in such an absurd thing?", asked Niluh Wuni in slight astonishment.

"It is not a matter of believing or not, but obviously I sneezed not because of illness" replied Jaka Umbaran with a smile.

From the front, Maharesi Dhanudara stepped closer to Jaka Umbaran and Niluh Wuni. Both of them immediately stood up from their seats as soon as they saw the arrival of the ascetic leader of Mount Ungaran.

"Good night all, may the Single Sanghyang Lord of the Universe always bless us all.

Does my arrival disturb your conversation, young swordsmen?", Maharesi Dhanudara smiled wryly.

"Absolutely not, Maharesi..

We just had a casual conversation from earlier. What was the matter until Maharesi Dhanudara met us?", asked Jaka Umbaran immediately.

Hearing the question, Maharesi Dhanudara smiled meaningfully and said,

"I'm sorry if I came at an inappropriate time, Pendekar Gunung Lawu.

But I'd love to have a conversation with you".