Gandapurnama field immediately became an arena. The soldiers formed a ring as a kind of barrier. Under the fresh green trees, Dewi Citrawati stood with 800 domas girls. The presence of the beautiful girls is like the tendrils of the jangga spreading tenderness amidst the violence of the coming fight. They wait, their hearts beating, their red lips quivering like katirah flowers afraid of falling in a violent wind. These beautiful girls spread a fragrant odor, the same aroma as sandalwood and pandan. Birds fly, circling restlessly as if to ask questions they don't understand: Will there really be a fight when Gandapurnama field is in such beautiful bloom? Only the asana flowers can answer this, falling between the breast of the beautiful women as if to say: This fight is beautiful because it is a contest for love.
Prabu Arjunasasrabahu finally comes face-to-face with Sumantri. They are like twin knights. How handsome they are! And who is the more handsome, no one can tell. The soldiers that ring the arena as a barrier can only be amazed. The beautiful girls secretly swallow their desire until there is commotion in their hearts: How happy they would be if one of the handsome knights would embrace them! They are no longer spectators watching a fight, but women who can no longer suppress the passion that has suddenly erupted. It is impossible for their passion to be extinguished as long as the two knights remain before them. They do not think at all of the flashing swords, and are even fighting amongst themselves to show off their beauty. Who knows that one of the handsome knights could turn around and admire their beauty? The women surround the field with their beauty. They are a fence of flowers in bloom, tensely waiting for the fight to come.
The closer Prabu Arjunasasrabahu and Sumantri come, the more apparent are their handsome looks that have almost no difference. So if the women could choose, they wouldn’t know to whom they should give their hearts.
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> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (98)
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The same thing has happened to Dewi Citrawati. In the beginning, she couldn’t tell the difference between the two. But soon she discovers where Sumantri is and where Prabu Arjunasasrabahu is. She discovers this not because she sees with her eyes, but with her heart. Her eyes may blink, but her heart is always alert, following Sumantri wherever he goes. She does not know why she is so happy and proud on seeing that Sumantri is no less dashing or handsome than his lord, Prabu Arjunasasrabahu. She hopes that Sumantri will be victorious in the fight still to come. Because if Sumantri wins, there will no longer be any reason for Prabu Arjunasasrabahu to claim her for his own. But is Sumantri certain to win? While asking this, she sinks into sorrow. Because if Sumantri loses, she will have no excuse left to not become the queen of the King of Maespati.
She observes Prabu Arjunasasrabahu with curious eyes. Only now has she looked upon the King of Maespati. She has to admit that Prabu Arjunasasrabahu is a very handsome knight. His good looks are not inferior to Sumantri’s. His face radiates kindness and wisdom. His eyes shine with authority. Having a knight like him must be every woman's dream and aspiration. And he is a very powerful king. What does he lack? Dewi Citrawati does not dislike him. She even feels that she could love him. But why does she not want to give herself to the King of Maespati? In essence, she already belongs to him. She becomes confused and hurriedly dismisses her feelings for the King of Maespati. This is easy to do. As soon as she turns to look at Sumantri, she feels passion stir in her heart.
Meanwhile, commotion breaks out on the battlefield. Prabu Arjunasasrabahu and Sumantri are facing each other in their chariots.
"Sumantri, draw your sword," says Prabu Arjunasasrabahu.
His voice does not sound like it is issuing a challenge. In Sumantri's ears, it sounds like a message: Why must you and I fight each other? Sumantri looks into Prabu Arjunasasrabahu’s eyes, which hold not the slightest hint of hostility. Sumantri becomes confused and draws his sword reluctantly, as if he was being forced to do so.
The two swords clash. To the women watching the fight, the clashing swords sound like the clang of hearts that are united. The sharp swords clash shrillly, the swords flash as fast as lightning.
Sumantri's sword slips from his grip as he swings it hard. The sword breaks, and Sumantri feels that he is simply grasping at emptiness. If he wanted to, Prabu Arjunasasrabahu could easily swing his sword and kill Sumantri. But with a friendly smile, he says, "Sumantri, don't break your heart like your sword. Use your spear."
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> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (93)
> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (92)
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The two knights then pull back on their chariots. They lash at their horses, commanding them to run as fast as they can. The horses gallop as fast as the blink of an eye. Dust billows, covering them. It is hard to see. Only the clanking of spears can be heard. The wind comes from the north, sweeping away the dust that conceals them. Miraculously, in the eyes of those watching, the clanking spears sound like flower stalks that love each other. The pair of spears sees to be decorated with flowers, one with the red blooms of the pidada (mangrove apple), the other with the white blooms of the rajasa (Elaeocarpus), blooming on a battlefield that is as fresh as a lake.
The watching women ask: Is this truly a fight, or are their eyes seeing wrongly? Because their hearts only hope, how sad it will be if one of them must die because of a vicious fight! Before they finish asking this question, they scream as they see Prabu Arjunasasrabahu throw his spear. Will Sumantri be hit by the sharp end of the pointed spear? But before the spear reaches him, Sumantri throws his spear, too. The two spears collide violently, and then shatter into pieces. The fragments scatter, and the eyes of the onlookers can hardly believe it when they see the fragments turn into a shower of pidada and rajasa flowers. Is there such love, until the spears that collide can become flowers?
This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.
