Preface
Ramayana is famous legend in the Hindu. The main figure in the legend is Ramawijaya. He figured the eight of Wisnu incarnation to save the world from the domination of Rawana.
The story in its origin came from india, but it had been known extensively in Indonesia since at least the 9th century, in view of the reliefs found at Prambanan temple. There we can see the Ramayana story depicted and carved on the balustrade of Candi Ciwa, as well as Candi Brahma.
The carvings tell us how Rama, the crown prince of Ayodhya, being excommunicated from the palace. He lived in the jungle, accompanied by Sita, his wife, and his brother Laksmana. Then, Rawana, a giant king of Alengka, symbolizing wickedness, wanted to marry Sita. So Rawana kidnapped Sita, and brought her to Alengka. The story goes on to the core namely the struggle and the fearless fight of Rama against Rawana.
Supported by Hanuman and the apes, Rama could defeat Rawana, and meet Sita again. At last the righteousness comes to be superior to wickedness.
As a matter of fact, the Ramayana is not regarded as Indian story anymore. It has become a folklore of high philosophical value for Indonesian especially for Balinese and Javanese people. It has been a cultural heritage necessary to be preserved.
This article is intented to be inadequate information about the Ramayana story depicted on the reliefs of Candi Ciwa and Brahma, admired by foreign as well as domestic tourists. Hopefully this article will be helpful for tourist, pupils, students and everyone who want to know better this famous cultural heritage.
Introduction
All the reliefs of the Ramayana story found at the Prambanan temple are engraved on the inner sides of the balustrades of Ciwa and Brahma temples. Those Ramayana reliefs found at Ciwa and Brahma temples are divides into panels. There are 24 and 30 panels respectively. Each of them is separated by a pillar carving, and one panel sometimes comprises more than one scene.
The reliefs of the Ramayana story start from the Ciwa temple, the sequence of which begins from the left of the east entrance, moving clockwise, and ends on the right of that east entrance.
Then it is continued at the Brahma temple. Its sequence is the same as it is found at the Ciwa temple, starting the left of the entrance and ending on the right.
The Description of Ramayana Relief
Panel no. 1
First Scene
The god Wisnu in Tushita heaven sits on the throne which looks like a serpent rising from the sea and behind him sits a garuda. Five gods ask Wisnu’s assistance to come down the world to destroy crime commited by Rawana
Second Scene
In the kingdom of Ayodhya, reigns King Dasaratha. He and his wife are called on by Rama, the incarnation of Wisnu, and the palace servants.
Panel no. 2
One, day king Dasaratha is visited by a hermit guest whose name is Wismamitra. He asks for Rama’s help to fight giants who disturb his hermitage. Behind the king are his three wives. Kausalya, who has given birth to Rama (the eldest child), Kalikayi, who has borne him Bharata and Sumitra, whose sons are Laksmana and Satrughna, Rama and Laksmana are on their right.
Panel no. 3
Rama and Laksmana are on their way to Wismamitra’s hermitage. Suddenly there are harassed by a giantess, Tataka. Rama kills in the forest.
Panel no. 4
First Scene
Priest Wismamitra sits and meditates in his hermitage.
Second Scene
Rama and Laksmana kill all the giants harassing Wismamitra’s hermitage
Panel no. 5
First Scene
In the kingdom of Mantilireja reigns King Janaka. He wants to hold a sayembara (competition): whoever can break Janaka’s bow string, he will be married to Sita.
Second Scene
Rama takes part in the competition, he succeeds in pulling and breaking Janaka’s bow string watched by Sita and ladies in waiting
Panel no. 6
First Scene
Rama, Sita and Laksmana return to Ayodhya
Second Scene
On the way meet a man whose name in Rama Parasu. He asks Rama to kill him with his own arrow.
Third Scene
Rama kills Rama Parasu with his arrow
Fourth Scene
King Dasaratha, who feels that he is getting old, plans to pass on the crown to Rama. The king, his wife and their servants are preparing a party for the coronation.
Panel no. 7
First Scene
The coronation of Rama as a prince is carried out by a priest. Outside the palace people are celebrating the coronation.
Second Scene
The second wife, Kaikayi Bharata’s mother, persuades the king to cancel the coronation of Rama as king and to send him into exile in the forest for fourteen years. It is Bharata who has to succeed him. The night before their departure to the forest, Rama and Sita pray in the temple.
Third Scene
Rama, Sita and Laksmana are heading for the forest to endure their banishment.
Panel no. 8
Not long after, King Dasaratha dies of sorrow. His body is to be cremated. The priest and queen Kausalya distribute gifts to the people of Ayodhya.
Panel no. 9
Bharata refuses to be crowned, he is looking for Rama in the forest to ask him to return to the palace and reign over the kingdom of Ayodhya. But Rama refuses and gives his slippers as his substitute. These slippers are to be put on the throne and he asks Bharata to reign on behalf of Rama
Panel no. 10
Sita is disturbed by two giants, but they are killed by Rama
Panel no. 11
Rama, Sita and Laksmana stay in a hut. One day a crow steal a piece of venison, which is being dried in the sun by Sita. Rama kills this bird with his arrow which pierces its head
Panel no. 12
First Scene
Giants Sarpakenaka, the sister of Rawana who disguises herself as pretty girl, gives a gift to Rama in order that he wants to marry her. Rama rejects her love, but he proposes loving Laksmana.
Second Scene
Her love is also rejected by Laksmana. In order to chase her away he cuts off her ears and nose. Then she complains to her brother, Rawana, about this insult.
Third Scene
Sita is kept company by Laksmana while Rama is trying to shoot a golden deer, the transformation of Marica, with his arrow. Marica is a giant, the servant of Rawana.
Panel no. 13
First Scene
Sita is alone in the hut after Laksmana has gone after Rama on her request.
Second Scene
Rawana who disguises himself as a priest approaches Sita to ask for rice. When she extends har hand to give him rice, her hand is pulled with force by Rawana.
Third Scene
Rawana succeeds in kidnapping Sita and carries off her in to the sky. In the air he is attacked by Jatayu to release Sita. Jatayu loses the fight, but he is able to receive a ring from Sita.
Fourth Scene
Rama and Laksmana are very sad when they observe the disappearance of Sita and decide to search for her. Jatayu tells them what have happened, gives the ring to Rama, and then he dies.
Fifth Scene
Rama and Laksmana are fighting against a giant, Kabandha. They succeed in defeating him and turning him into his original form. Kabandha is the transformation of the cursed god who has been doomed by Ciwa to live as an ugly human being.
Panel no. 14
Rama and Laksmana meet a crocodile, which is actually the transformation of a goddess who is cursed by god. After Rama shoots her with his arrow, she turns herself into her original form and flies to heaven.
Panel no. 15
Rama and Laksmana meet Hanoman, a white ape. He asks them to meet Sugriwa, the king of apes.
Panel no. 16
First Scene
Rama and Laksmana are taking a rest in the forest. Rama asks his brother to look for water.
Second Scene
Laksmana finds water dripping from the top of the tree. But it tastes salty, then it is known that this water is the tears of Sugriwa, the king of apes who is crying since he is squeezed the tree.
Third Scene
After being helped by Rama and Laksmana to get down from the tree, Sugriwa asks them to help him to defeat Subali who has taken his kingdom and his wife by force. In turn Sugriwa will assist Rama to obtain Sita from Alengka.
Panel no. 17
To convince Sugriwa of Rama’s supernatural power, he shoots an arrow which pierces seven palm trees with a single shot.
Panel no. 18
First Scene
Rama, Laksmana, and Sugriwa arrive at Kiskendha. They arrange the strategy of how to attack Subali. Rama asks Sugriwa to challenge Subali.
Second Scene
A big fight happens between Subali and Sugriwa. Rama shoots at Subali with his arrow that kills him.
Third Scene
Sugriwa reascends the throne of Kiskendha, and Anggadha, Subali’s son, is appointed as crown prince. Sugriwa welcomed anthusiastically by his apes.
Panel no. 19
First Scene
Rama, Laksmana and Sugriwa are on their way to a discussion place.
Second Scene
Rama, Laksmana and Sugriwa are discussing how to plan and organize their strategy to fight Alengka.
Third Scene
Sugriwa proposes sending an envoy, i.e. Hanoman, to look Sita in Alengka.
Fourth Scene
Hanoman goes to Alengka by leaping from the mountain Mahameru across the sea. After reaching Alengka he observes the situation of Rawana’s palace and seeks from the roof for the place where Sita stays.
Panel no. 20
First Scene
Hanoman is in the garden of Rawana’s palace where Sita looked up. He watches Sita closely from a tree branch, while Sita is sitting, accompanied by Trijata, Rawana’s niece. A lady in waiting discovers him and reports to Sita that an ape is hiding in the garden.
Second Scene
Hanoman calls on Sita and tells her the purpose of his coming, and that Rama will come soon to take her home.
Panel no. 21
First Scene
Hanoman’s presence is known by Alengka kingdom’s guards, then he is captured. He is tied with a rope and his tail is burned.
Second Scene
But he can escape. With his tail ablaze, he jumps from one roof top to another, setting fire to them. Soon after that the whole town of Alengka is ablaze.
Panel no. 22
Hanoman returns to Kiskendha, he is received by Rama, Laksmana, and Sugriwa. He reports to them about his mission to Alengka.
Panel no. 23
Rama will dry up the ocean for the passage to Alengka. The god of the sea is frightened. He requests Rama to cancel it and he also suggestest him that he should build a bridge from the shore to Alengka.
Panel no. 24
First Scene
Rama, Laksmana and Sugriwa watch the apes building the bridge, helped by fish and the god of the sea.
Second Scene
Rama, Laksmana, Sugriwa and the army of apes are crossing the bridge to Alengka.
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