History Of Paddy

The  Legend

Of

Goddess Sri

Translated by :  Safri Wisesa

Indeed,  this legend comes from Java.  But, Balinese people also claimed this legend as their owned.  There are two different stories as background of this legend.  I will take one story that known-well in Bali because I am from Bali.  Goddess Sri,  main figure in this legend, known as protector of rice plants.

This legend is told from generation to generation.  I've been heard about this legend since I was young.  My mother used to storytelling about this legend,  because this legend is one of respected legends in Bali. 

So, let's we start it...........

 

Once in Bali,  there was lived a king.  His name's King Wene.  King Wene known-well as a cruel and iniquitous king in Bali.  King Wene loved to have fun.  He always spent his days with have fun such like gamble,  arrows dices, etc.  Until one day, his kingdom was being attacked by rebels whom hated this king very much.  In that assault,  King Wene were killed.

One of that bunch rebels seen a handsome baby boy came out of King Wene's mouth.  Those rebels startled when they saw the baby.  They ran out of the palace and left the baby cried alone.

A few minutes after assault,  The Palace Guardians who came so late saw the death body of King Wene and the baby on top of his breast, cried.  They took the baby.  Because King Wene died being tortured, he's got named Raja Dipret. Raja Dipret took from Bali Language which meaningful King Who Was Being Tortured.

That's why the baby's got named Pretu.  It took from " dipret ".   Pretu was taken care by Palace Servants.  For long time,  nobody replaced the King Wene's throne.  All servants and guardians agreed to waiting for Pretu to be mature.  Under the best nursing from people in the palace, Pretu being grew up soon.

After he was grew up, he was crowned to replaced his father's throne.  King Pretu led Bali very wisely.  His people loved him very much.  Bali being peaceful and prosperous under the leadership of King Pretu.

At that time, staple food of Balinese people were yam and sugarcane juice. King Pretu very pity to his people.  He wanted to seek something better for his people.  King Pretu climbed to the hills and did meditated.  He wish could met with Betari Sri, The Goddess of Earth.

His wish came true. Not took so long, Betari Sri met King Pretu.

" King Pretu,  before I give you something, better you meet Batara Indra first.  Tell him that you need him to teaching you about farming. "  said Betari Sri.

" Then, you have to facing the Sanghyang Kesuhun Kidul.  Asking plant seeds for farming. "  added Betari Sri.

Soon after all,  King Pretu who's got command from Betari Sri, surely facing the Batara Indra.  He forced Batara Indra to teach him about farming.  Batara Indra got wrath because King Pretu asked him with impolite.  He refused King Pretu's requested and cast him out.  King Pretu being mad to Batara Indra.

" Hey, Batara Indra,  why do you very snobbish? You don't know who am I? If you willing not to help me and Balinese people, better we're going fight ! "  cried King Pretu.

" Fine ! We are going to fight now. But, if you win, I'm willing to teach you about farming. But if you lost, take your step feet out of my face ! "  Batara Indra snapped.

Finally,  the battle between Batara Indra and King Pretu had happened. The battle happened sharply.  Both of them resisted.  First, they used empty words.  Then, they used sword. The last they used Keris**.

Gradually,  Batara Indra seemed to being tired.  He pulled out of big energy to against King Pretu.  Maybe, this because of age.  Batara Indra is 100 years and more rather than King Pretu which still young.  Batara Indra lost in the battle and obliged what King Pretu's wants.

" How can you beat me? "  asked Batara Indra while stroke his head.

" I was asked you before we started this battle. What was the point do you know? "

Actually,  King Pretu is a drip of Vishnu Deity. Batara Indra confessed King Pretu is a great king. He obliged to teach him about farming.

" Don't forget to take me to facing Sanghyang Kesuhun Kidul. "  said King Pretu sharply.

The news of defeat Batara Indra when he was against King Pretu widespread.  Heard up to ears of Sanghyang Kesuhun Kidul.  Sanghyang Kesuhun Kidul very dread.  When Batara Indra and King Pretu came across Sanghyang Kesuhun Kidul,  he rushed to gave plant seeds to King Pretu because so dread.

Then,  he whistled for his four favorite birds. Pigeon, Butterfly Pigeon, Sugem***, and Turtledove.  Pigeon bird helped King Pretu carried the black seed,  Butterfly Pigeon bird carried the white seed,  Sugem bird carried the yellow seed, and Turtledove bird carried the red seed.

From the place of Sanghyang Kesuhun Kidul,  those birds flew to seek the suitable soil for planting these seeds.  But, when they were on the way,  those birds disturbed by a big ugly giant.  Sugem bird had braved to against that giant.  The yellow seed apart of his beak.  The yellow seed fell down to the unwanted soil.

Sugem bird returned to the place of Sanghyang Kesuhun Kidul and reported about the accident had happened to them.  That deity of plant seeds being wrath.  Sanghyang Kasuhun Kidul came up to the giant and killed him. After the giant was dead, Sanghyang Kasuhan Kidul ordered other three birds to continued their journey.  

Sanghyang Kasuhun Kidul cursed the yellow seed which fell down to unwanted soil being something which can't be eaten by human.  The cursed yellow seed grew being turmeric plant.  Turmeric can't be eaten by human but only using as food coloring or as herbal medicine.

When three other birds arrive in the intended soil,  King Pretu and his guards awaited them already.  The birds flew towards King Pretu. They were present remains plant seeds.  After all, they flew back to the place of Sanghyang Kasuhun Kidul. King Pretu didn't forget to said thank you and waved his hands to all birds.

" Tell  my gratitude to Sanghyang Kasuhun Kidul. "  said King Pretu.

King Pretu was very pleased.  He saved those seeds well on his pocket while he waited for Batara Indra came to his place and teach him about farming.

In the next morning, Batara Indra came to King Pretu's palace.  He came across King Pretu and ready to teach him about farming.  He came to King Pretu's palace with Citrasena and Citragada.  With Citrasena, King Pretu was taught how to raising the white seed.  The white seed will be raising if King Pretu planted in rice fields.  The white seed grew being paddy.  And when the harvest season coming, paddy harvested into air.

Citragada taught King Pretu to raised the black seed.  The way to raised the black seed its with the white seed.  The black seed similar planted in the rice field.  But, when the black seed grew,  it will be black paddy and harvested into black glutinous rice.

Whereas Batara Indra taught King Pretu to raised the red seed.  The red seed planted in the fields without water.  And when the red seed grew, will be harvested into the red rice.

And present, Balinese people can enjoy their staple food is rice. Whether white rice or red rice.

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***Sugem  :  The traditional bird from Bali. The bird has performance like turtledove with topknot on his head.

**Keris      :  The traditional weapon from Java Island and Bali Island. The shape of this weapon is wavy all the body.  The cover of this weapon made by golden and diamond for nobleman or brass and iron for soldiers and commoners.