Everyone, including Prabu Arjunasasrabahu, is jolted into a realization: Shouldn't the story of this journey be all about Dewi Citrawati, the beautiful daughter of Magada? Why has no attention been paid to her from the beginning?
Behold, 800 beautiful girls accompany her, but she is the prettiest of them all, as no one can match the beauty of Dewi Citrawati. The padma (lotus) flowers that are as yet asleep will soon waken to gaze upon her beauty. And when the call of the cataka (cuckoo) is heard, it can be imagined that the birds long to descend upon her chest, spying the raindrops dripping between her breasts. Her hair is long and falls straight down, and when she shakes it, she scatters the fragrant essence of the pandan flower.
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Now they can't help but pay attention to her, including Prabu Arjunasasrabahu, who seems to have all but forgotten about her since her arrival in Gandapurnama. The King of Maespati is stunned, why hasn't he noticed her so very charming figure earlier? Now his desire seems to have been awakened, because he feels that behind the Princess of Magada's smile hides a seductive wildness. The Princess of Magada is like a mandira tree that can cast a shadow of romantic desire. The clothing she is wearing seems to want to come off like falling lotus petals so as to reveal her body that invites intimacy. No wonder a thousand kings have tried to take her for their own. How lucky the King of Maespati is to possess her. Anyone would be jealous of him. So how is it possible that a man can forget to praise her? Prabu Arjunasasrabahu comes back to himself in response to this question, and says like a person who has forgotten himself:
"Citrawati, what is it that you desire?"
"Sang Prabu, can I truly hold you to your word?" Dewi Citrawati asks, doubtfully.
"What is it that I do not wish to give you? How lucky I am to have you as my queen. It is reasonable that you ask of me what you want. I will give you whatever you desire," Prabu Arjunasasrabahu says, not thinking at all about the consequences of his words.
"Sang Prabu, I want you to bring Sriwedari Garden to me," pleads Dewi Citrawati.
“Sriwedari Garden?” asks Prabu Arjunasasrabahu, as if he cannot believe what he is hearing.
"That is correct, Sang Prabu. I want Sriwedari Garden to be in Maespati, in its entirety, without a single leaf or flower falling," says Dewi Citrawati.
"Citrawati, the garden is in the heaven of the gods. How do you want me to move it to this worldly realm?” The tone of Prabu Arjunasasrabahu's words makes it clear that he believes it is impossible for him to fulfill Dewi Citrawati's wish.
"You are known to be the incarnation of Batara Wisnu, why do you ask me that, Sang Prabu? Keep your word. This is my request. I will be your queen if you can present Sriwedari Garden before my eyes."
Dewi Citrawati's words emerge coldly, like dry bamboo leaves falling in the wind. Without saying anything more, she excuses herself, turns away, and leaves behind a riddle as night comes to conceal her sorrow.
In the midst of his confusion, he swiftly turns to Sumantri, who has been there and ha heard the conversation between the King of Maespati and Dewi Citrawati.
The yellow flowers of the trikancu (bell orchid tree) bow down, darkening Prabu Arjunasasrabahu's heart. He can transform into a giant that surpasses Mahameru, but as for fufilling Dewi Citrawati's request, he really doesn't know that he can. Even if he could, he still doesn't know how it would possible to move the garden of the gods to his kingdom of Maespati. In the midst of his confusion, he swiftly turns to Sumantri, who has been there and ha heard the conversation between the King of Maespati and Dewi Citrawati.
"Sumantri, are you willing to help me again?" says Prabu Arjunasasrabahu.
"If I can, what reason have I to refuse your Majesty's order?" Sumantri replies, as befits a warrior keen to serve his lord.
"Sumantri, you have yourself heard the request of Dewi Citrawati. I have to admit, I do not know how to move Sriwedari Garden to Maespati. While at the same time, Dewi Citrawati is willing to become the queen of Maespati only if I fulfill that request."
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Sumantri is astonished by the words of Prabu Arjunasasrabahu. Why does the King of Maespati shamelessly admit in front of him that the king is unable to fulfill Dewi Citrawati's request? Isn't he the great king, the incarnation of Batara Wisnu, who should be able to do things that ordinary humans cannot do? Sumantri is silent and thinks, maybe he is now being tested in return, after he had so arrogantly challenged the King of Maespati.
"Sumantri, why have you not answered my question yet? You have defeated a thousand kings and succeeded in bringing Dewi Citrawati to Maespati. You were also able to find 800 domas girls to accompany her, so she would be willing to come here. If you don't let Cakrabaskara go, maybe my fight with you will never end. I have no doubts about your abilities. My embarrassment cannot restrain me, and now I want you to help me. I will be very grateful to you if Sriwedari Garden can be moved to Maespati. Can you do it, Sumantri?” presses Prabu Arjunasasrabahu.
Sumantri is startled by this flattering speech. He immediately puts away his earlier question about whether he was now being tested in return for daring to challenge his lord. However, the king’s praise lifts him and makes him forget himself. An opportunity seems to have opened once again for him to prove and demonstrate his abilities. This thought not only gives him encouragement, but also turns all his attention back to Dewi Citrawati. If he can fulfill that request, will that not mean that it is he who can satisfy the Princess of Magada's wish? He knows that it is no longer possible for him to have Dewi Citrawati, but if he can fulfill her wish, who knows? Things might change again. The commotion of love that had been extinguished is now rekindled. It lifts his spirits and this love blinds him, as if he can really accomplish what is impossible. The sky tears apart and the clouds divide, the ground swells as if it is being trampled by a thousand elephants as Sumantri allows himself to be blinded by love again. The dark power of the night also comes in his words, the origins of which he himself does not know.
"Your Majesty, I will carry out your order," says Sumantri, boldly. The words come without him thinking. In fact, because they emerge from the mouth of a person who is deemed a warrior, it is impossible for those words to be taken back.
“You are always willing to serve and sacrifice yourself. You are a true warrior, Sumantri," says the King of Maespati, with great pride.
(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo).
