Iswara The Boatman

Iswara The Boatman
© Surazeus
2024 03 23

Young women wearing gold batik sarongs, 
who bear baskets of rich fruit on their heads, 
mundu, kemang, kepel, rukem, and, menteng, 
glide over lush meadow of tall lawngrass 
under elegant peak of Mount Merapi 
to grand feasting halls of Prambanan Compound. 

Balitung, son of Rudra, son of Shiva, 
strolls along lush shore of broad Opak River 
where families gliding in sampan boats wave, 
while holding hands with daughter of Jepang 
who beams shyly, new pregnant with his heir, 
then they sit in Bubrah Temple to feast. 

Envoys from towns all over Mataram, 
kingdom he expands across Java Island, 
kneel before King Balitung and his Queen, 
presenting offerings of craftsmen and farmers 
to celebrate time of prosperous peace 
due to wise oversight of his bold reign. 

Extending hand of generous respect, 
Balitung welcomes brother of his bride, 
Daksha, son of Jepang, son of Vishnu, 
who bows and steps close to the noble king, 
but thrusts sharp keris dagger in his heart, 
then proclaims himself King of Mataram. 

Shocked by assassination of her husband, 
Dewi Sri flees quickly from Bubrah Temple, 
past nobles feasting in Prambanan halls, 
to escape retribution of her brother 
for advising their father to choose Shiva 
instead of him to rule vast Mataram. 

Hiding in cliff cave on shore of the lake 
beneath high Kedung Kayang Waterfall, 
Dewi Sri meditates on lotus bloom, 
and prays to Goddess Sati for protection 
who casts veil over haven of her daughter 
so hunters never find the pregnant queen. 

Birthing son of murdered King Balitung, 
Dewi Sri cradles strong child in her arms, 
and, while he suckles milk with starry eyes 
in which she sees the swirling universe, 
she names him Iswara, Lord of the Land, 
then weeps and vows to keep him safe from harm. 

Old woman wearing gold batik sarong, 
who bears basket of rich fruit on her head, 
mundu, kemang, kepel, rukem, and, menteng, 
glides along lake shore to the hidden cave, 
and smiles to see her son Iswara work 
constructing sampan boat with crafty hands. 

Iswara the boatman, with eager heart, 
sails Opak River to Prambanan Compound 
where he joins crowd of humble worshippers 
gathered at feast of noble King Daksha 
who strides through the crowd parting in surprise 
to embrace the boy with welcoming tears. 

Presenting young son of King Balitung 
as heir to rule Kingdom of Mataram, 
Daksha gives him new name of Tulodong, 
then takes him to Bubrah Temple to feast 
where he meets the elegant princess Tara 
who offers him cup of papaya juice.