Before the current age, there was the country of Maespati. It was great superpower. The fame of its name was everywhere. A majestic country, surrounded by mountains and bordered by the ocean, its rice fields stretched to its rural areas. A prosperous country, whatever was planted would thrive, and clothing and food was cheap. Pets, ducks, geese, buffalo and cows roamed around, with nothing stolen. Released in the morning, in the afternoon they returned to their own cages. Like a torch that shone brightly with fire and smoke rising, the fame of Maespati spread everywhere. Kings from everywhere, who came to visit, were endlessly amazed and stunned. They surrendered not because they were defeated in war but out of awe of the king of Maespati, who was abundant with virtue. Not because they were forced to but because they were willing, foreign kings came to offer their tribute.
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Who was the king of this magnificent country? He was King Arjunasasrabahu. The king was wise, excelling in knowledge. Enchanting were the words of his lips, so that his people served with respect and love, physically and mentally. He liked to be generous, giving rewards to those who did meritorious things. He always protected his people. It was like giving umbrellas while it was raining, giving veils while it was hot, giving food to those who were hungry, giving water to those who were thirsty, giving walking sticks to those who were limping.
The springs, which used to be abundant in water, are now getting dry.
That was the condition of Maespati, which was peaceful and prosperous. But unfortunately, that is not how it is now. Now Maespati is in mourning, and its people are suffering everywhere. Around the king's palace, as far as the villages, the people are in sadness. The fields do not produce their crops. The plants wither, and the trees bear no fruit. The springs, which used to be abundant in water, are now getting dry. The soil is cracked, barren and arid. And disease outbreaks spread quickly, claiming lives, so many people die ahead of their time. Even though many prayers have been said to the gods, the disaster has not subsided. Thousands of incense sticks are lit. Their fragrance rises to the sky, yet the pain has not disappeared. Many priests, Brahmins and holy people are brought in, submitting to pleading, even to the point of being willing to give up their lives and souls, as long as this disaster subsides, but all their prayers and sacrifices are in vain, and the disease outbreak continues to spread uncontrollably.
The warlords and high-ranking officials of the palace no longer know what to do to end all the suffering in Maespati. But they know that the real cause of this suffering and disaster is their own king. They believe that the suffering or happiness of Maespati people depends on their king. Moreover, they know that their king is the incarnation of Batara Vishnu. Indeed, from generation to generation they believe that the natural condition and the universe are only a reflection of their king. When the king is happy, nature and the universe will also be happy. The people will rejoice, the agricultural produce will be abundant, people will be lacking nothing and disaster and disease outbreaks will go away by themselves. On the other hand, if the king is sad, nature and universe will also be gloomy, the people will suffer, the rice fields and plants will not bear harvests, the people will be kept away from sustenance and disasters and disease outbreaks will run rampant.
In fact, many kings have given up their daughters, many beautiful princesses have also given themselves up to be proposed to, but none of them have been able to attract his heart.
Then what is the sadness of Prabu Arjunasasrabahu, so that nature, humans and the world of Maespati's country are also hit by sorrow and suffering? His sadness is initially hidden. But slowly the people and warlords of the Maespati kingdom understand why the king is sad. The king is very handsome, courageous, just and wise. But he is still single, without an empress. It is not proper for a king who is so brave and powerful not to be accompanied by an empress. Prabu Arjunasasrabahu himself wants to have an empress, but so far he has not found her. In fact, many kings have given up their daughters, many beautiful princesses have also given themselves up to be proposed to, but none of them have been able to attract his heart. He does not know why he has not made his choice yet.
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So every night he goes into meditation in his shrine, asking the gods who should accompany him, who is destined to become his empress. Finally, one night, when he is immersed in deep meditation, he has a vision. The daughter who will become his empress is kusuma ayu Dewi Citrawati, the princess of the kingdom of Magada. Dewi Citrawati is the incarnation of Dewi Sri. As the incarnation of Batara Vishnu, it is appropriate that Prabu Arjunasasrabahu marries the incarnation of Dewi Sri, who now holds the position as sekar kedaton, the flower of Magada palace.
But getting Dewi Citrawati is not as easy as turning the palm of the hand, even for a king as great and powerful as Prabu Arjunasasrabahu. Dewi Citrawati has been a bone of contention for the kings. The kings fights with each other to show who is most deserving of her. Princess Magada's beauty is incomparable. No wonder that to get her, the kings dare to risk their lives. “Will I ever be able to side with her?" This longing to be side by side with Dewi Citrawati is the source of Prabu Arjunasasrabahu's sadness.
His sadness increases because of the death of Mahapatih Suwondo, whom he sent to propose to the daughter of Magada. Even though he represented a prominent king, Mahapatih Suwondo did not get any privileges. He was involved in battles against other kings who were competing for Dewi Citrawati. Finally, he lost, and died at the hands of the king of giants, Prabu Darmawasesa. Maespati's army came home only with sadness. Prabu Arjunasasrabahu was not only furious but also very sad. Mahapatih Suwondo was his favorite warlord. In Mahapatih Suwondo, he seemed to see himself. Mahapatih Suwondo's death was felt as a very painful loss of self. This all adds to his grief because his longing for Dewi Citrawati has not been fulfilled. His grief and heartache radiate into the misery and disaster that are now born by the people of Maespati.
(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo)
