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The great hall seemed devoid of all noise as all there waited for the King to speak. Everything was silent, not even the sounds of the insects were heard. The leaves on the trees of the great hall’s courtyard did not move, and even the wind stopped blowing. All that could be heard was the quiet sound of the royal gamelan orchestra, interspersed with the occasional chirping of birds that joined in the beautiful melody. This great long silence endured, until His Majesty himself broke it.
"Paman (Uncle) Patih Suroto, what is the condition of Maespati state?" Prabu Arjunasasrabahu asked, opening the conversation.
"Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness. As Your Majesty already knows, Maespati state is still struck by grief. The people suffer because the rice fields are no longer green, the plants no longer provide sustenance. Not a few have even died after they grew ill due to an outbreak of disease," Patih Suroto said, while offering his respectful greeting.
"How can all this suffering and calamity be brought to an end soon, Paman?"
“In this regard, there is only one way. Don't be sad anymore, Your Majesty, because it is your grief that spreads suffering for the people of Maespati." Patih Suroto took courage and forced himself to say what is on the minds of the Maespati people.
“How can I rid myself of that sorrow, Paman? While my desire to marry the princess of the kingdom of Magada has not been fulfilled, I have lost Mahapatih Suwondo, the warlord I depended on very much. Who else can help me obtain Dewi Citrawati? Do I really have to go to Magada myself and fight over this?” Prabu Arjunasasrabahu spoke like someone who had lost all hope.
"I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness, do not go to Magada yourself, especially if you have to fight the kings there. Remember, Your Majesty is the great king, the incarnation of Batara Vishnu. Your job is to protect the world. It will only diminish Your Majesty's glory if Your Majesty fights for the hand of the princess of the kingdom of Magada," said Patih Suroto.
"I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness," King Candrakestu of Dwarangga spoke up suddenly. "As far as I know, Dewi Citrawati is the incarnation of Dewi Sri. It is the will of the gods that the incarnation of Batara Vishnu will stand side by side with the incarnation of Dewi Sri. So, without a fight, let alone a war, Your Majesty will surely obtain Dewi Citrawati as the queen of Maespati state."
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"Moreover, Your Majesty's departure will only add to the pain of the people of Maespati state. They do not want to lose Your Majesty. So, do not travel to Magada yourself. I, Kalinggaprana, offer myself in Your Majesty’s place to travel to Magada, even if I have to die on the battlefield," King Kalinggaprana of the Pasir Agung Kingdom said, emboldened to speak.
"That is right, Your Majesty, I am also willing to risk my life for the glory of Your Majesty," said King Candrakestu, King Suryakestu, and King Kalinggapati, sharing and confirming the courage of King Kalinggaprana.
“What great determination my comrade kings have to sacrifice yourselves. However, will not all this only add to the death that has overcome Mahapatih Suwondo?” said Prabu Arjunasasrabahu, doubtfully.
Mahapatih Suwondo was his warlord who had supernatural powers. Almost nothing could match his supernatural powers in Maespati state. Even Mahapatih Suwondo could die, never mind the kings, of whose superiority he remained unconvinced.
The King's words silenced the pisowanan agung. No one dared speak up. It looked as though none knew what to do anymore. But soon, a voice broke through the silence.
"Your Majesty, please allow me, Tumenggung Baudenda, to appear before your feet."
"Come here, Paman Tumenggung. What news have you?”
I believe he has neither eaten nor drunk while he has been in the palace courtyard.
Respectfully, Tumenggung Baudenda stepped forward to the front of the pisowanan agung to deliver his news. “Your Majesty, in the palace courtyard, for days I have seen a young man sitting cross-legged under a mandira tree. I do not know how long the young man has been there. During the day, he does not move, despite the stinging sunlight. I believe he has neither eaten nor drunk while he has been in the palace courtyard.
“I believed this young man had taken a vow to achieve his goals. My guess was not wrong. I asked why he was doing all this. And the young man replied that he would continue to do so, until he was allowed to appear before the one he worships, the King of Maespati."
"Why did you not bring him to me immediately, Paman Tumenggung?" asks Prabu Arjusasrabahu.
"I am not brave enough to bring him before Your Majesty. From his appearance, the young man is just a village boy, poor and possesses nothing. It is not deserving of him to meet Your Majesty. After all, what could be expected from him? He seems to not have any special features, except his determination. I have left him to do as he wants. However, I also felt guilt if I did not report it to Your Majesty," replied Tumenggung Baudenda.
"Bring the young man before me, Paman Tumenggung," the King ordered.
Tumenggung Baudenda took his leave and went out to the palace courtyard. The young man was still sitting cross-legged under the mandira tree.
In his determination, he felt that his younger brother was a mere obstacle.
He is none other than Sumantri, a son of Jatisrana hermitage. After leaving his younger brother Sukrosono in the jungle, he continued his journey to Maespati. He picked up his pace for fear that his younger brother might overtake him. Indeed, he has lost heart, but he tried to rid himself of his sadness and strengthened his determination to serve Maespati state. In his determination, he felt that his younger brother was a mere obstacle.
Understandably, who would believe he could serve as a knight if they knew who his younger brother was?
In his heart he admits that he is ashamed to have an ugly brother like Sukrosono, the demon child.
(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo).
