When the Fire Came

It’s the eve of Nyepi. Pengrupukan. Where the monsters come out and are none more frightening than the ones inside all of us if we are ever negligent of these appetites. Bali is getting ready for 24 hours of contemplation. Of silence. Of darkness. Out of all the days in the year we are given this precious 24 hours to be with the quiet and give ourselves a chance to let our hearts rest and its quiet voice be heard.

By this time tomorrow, I certainly should not be on this computer typing. So I’m trying to get something down that’s been on my mind. The month of March leading up to the silent day of Nyepi is a month they call Sasih Kesanga. I have heard it said that this is a month when all the negative energies rise strongly. Appetites, desires, ambitions, things that our human natures relish, this tends to be the month when they are at their strongest.

Personally, it hs been a challenging month. Aside from the usual pressures of workload, the extreme stormy weather and torrential winds have posed another challenge to keeping fit and healthy. Yet amidst this tempestuous month, many precious blessings continue to touch our lives. One such I would count as an amazing gift  is the arrival of Sugriwa at Sawidji. The next mask in Sawidji’s traditional sacred mask collection.

Our Love of the Living Masks of Bali

If anyone is familiar with my love of masks, the wonder I feel when in the presence of these masks, these Living Masks full of spirit and ancient wisdom. Passing down our Ancestral teachings from generation to generation. Kadek Sudiasa has been with Sawidji for a few years and shared his wisdom, and his insights as a dancer and a mask maker over many different masks. 

He texted me one day and said the next mask was ready and he would bring it on Monday night. This brings us to the arrival of Sugriwa. The one who has the power equal to that of the Sun God, Sang Surya. Which is why I say, it is the eve when fire came. Hanuman is symbolised by the element of wind and Sugriwa is that of fire. 

When Kadek came and he slowly openned the cloth wrapping and unveiled the red mask of Sugriwa, our silence is that of reverence.. joy. His words explained that Hanuman is wind and Sugriwa is Fire and he hopes here in Sawidji we will be the Water.

Profound words in their absolute simplicity.

‘I had no clue if the one who came was Sugriwa or Subali..but when Kadek told the story of Sugriwa. I was not so familiar with Sugriwa and Subali, I am more familiar with the story of Hanuman, as he is the one that is most recited… ~_ManButur

That evening, we asked Pak Kadek to share Sugriwa’s story with us. I have included the recording here and written Kadek Sudiasa’s account of the tale of Sugriwa.

The Tale of Sugriwa as told by Kadek Sudiasa

“I am not a pewayangan person, but I listen and read a little about Sugriwa. This is the Balinese and Javanese version, not the Indian version. In the past Sugriwa was a normal human being, the son of a priest. Three brothers and sisters. Guwarsi and Guwarsa and the youngest sister is Anjanai. In their teenage years, they were very close. But after they found out their father has a Cupu Manik, which is extremely valuable, the gift from a god, the three equally wanted this precious item. All three siblings wanted the Cupu Manik from their father. The father was confused: who do I give it to? He decided to just throw it and whoever catches it is the one who has the right to own it. The father didn’t want to choose so that the kids don’t get jealous.

The Beastliness of Greed

The Cupu Manik fell into a pool. Guwarsa and Guwarsi immediately both jumped after the Cupu Manik into the pool. They fought in the pool, and the sister Anjani was too scared to dive into the water, so she only ducked her head into the water to look for the item. Something incredible happened whilst they fought in the pool. They turned into monkeys, perhaps because of their primitive and beastlike behaviour. Forgetting their relationship and their love for each other in their ambition and greed. In the aftermath, there was nothing they could do but only left with sadness and regret. Even Anjani’s face became hairy like a monkey. They fought over something that should not have been fought for. The father said he could not help.

He can only advise that they meditate and reflect upon their actions. Anaani meditated by the river. She received a blessing from Bhetara Guru and she gave birth to a son, Hanuman. Guwarsa and Guwarsi received blessings from the God Indra and Surya. Guwarsi received immortality and Guwarsa also received a blessing from the God Surya, equal in power to that of his older brother. They became the Kings of the Apes. Their names changed to Subali and Sugriwa. The two powerful brothers led the Kingdom of Kishkinda. They regret their greed and ambition that broke apart their relationship and they led the kingdom in wisdom.

Another Test

However, they were tested again and there was a terrible misunderstanding. The older brother Subali because he has immortality said he would face the giant because she cannot be killed. He enters the cave to fight the Raksasa. He said to his brother if there is white blood spilled it means I have died and if I have been defeated, close the mouth of the cave and make safe the kingdom. When white blood was spilled Sugriwa thought it was his brother who had been defeated when in fact it was the fluid from the giant.

He closed the mouth of the cave and his brother thought he was betrayed by his younger brother even after his sacrifice. This misunderstanding caused another war between the brothers and it didn’t matter howSugriwa apologised the eldest would not accept his apology. It was at this point that Rama came and he met with Sugriwa. Sugriwa asked for his help, this battle cannot be avoided, and one of us must die. If Rama is to help Sugriwa, Sugriwa commits his service and devotion to Rama. Rama killed Subali and Sugriwa kept his promise as a faithful servant in service of King Rama.” _{~ Kadek Sudiasa}

Quiet Reflections

The epic story is not separate from our self-reflections. Reflections on the positive and negative characteristics inherent in our human natures. They continue to serve as teachers, giving guidance on our human journey. Sugriwa came as we were preparing ourselves for this silent time of reflection. This in itself is special. ^{~ ManButur}

When the Fire Came

We often see the many traditional masks around us but often, the depth of their stories and the philosophies contained within them gets overlooked. Even those who are familiar with the stories of The Ramayana may not be so familiar with the complex characters that appear in this epic. Without getting into the depths of a Hindu epic, we are here one special evening, inspired by the spirit of Bali’s Silent Day. Sugriwa came to us at this time. A symbol of fire before the dawn of a new year. A reminder of our human appetites and what we must overcome to cultivate our better natures.