Lessons and Fairy Tales

Legend of the Origin of Mount Merapi

The island of Java is one of the five largest islands in Indonesia. That said, this island in the past was not flat or sloping. Therefore, the gods in Kahyangan intended to make the island not slanted. In a meeting, they then decided to set up a large and high mountain in the middle of Java Island as a counterweight. So it was agreed to move Mount Jamurdipa located in the South Sea to a flat land area located on the border of Sleman Regency Special Region of Yogyakarta, and Magelang Regency, Boyolali, klaten Central Java Province.

Meanwhile, in the area where Mount Jamurdipa will be placed there are two masters who are making cherry. They are Empu Rama and Empu Pamadi who have high devotion. Therefore, the gods will first advise the two masters to immediately move to another place so as not to be overwhelmed by the mountain that will be placed in the area. The king of the gods, Batara Guru, immediately sent Batara Narada and the God of Penyarikan along with a number of guards from the palace Kahyangan to persuade the two masters.

Arriving at that place, the messengers of the gods immediately approached the two masters who were busy forging an iron bar mixed with various metals. How surprised Batara Narada and the God of Filtering when watching the way Empu Rama and Empu Pamadi make keris. The two Empus forged a smoldering iron bar without the use of a hammer and metal anvil, but with their hands and thighs. Their fists were like very hard steel hammers. Every time their fists smashed at the smouldering iron bars it was seen sparks of light emitting.

“Sorry, Empu! We messengers of the gods want to talk to the two Empu,” greet the God of Filtering.

The two masters immediately stopped their work and then allowed the two messengers to sit down.

“What's the matter, Pukulun?[1] Can I help you?” ask Empu Rama.

“We came here to convey the request of the gods to Empu,” replied Batara Narada.

“What is that request?” tanya Empu Pamadi curious, ”Hopefully that request can we fulfill.”

Batara Narada also explained the request of the gods to the two masters. After hearing that explanation, both of them were simply stunned. They felt that the request of the gods was very heavy.

“Pardon me, Hitamun! The servant did not intend to refuse the request of the gods. But, need to know that making magic keris should not be done carelessly, including moving places,” explained Empu Rama.

“But Empu, this situation is already very urgent. If Empu both do not immediately move from here Java Island the longer it will be tilted,” said Dewa Penyarikan.

“True God Filtering, Empu. We are also willing to find a better place for Empu both,” persuaded Empu Narada.

“Sorry, Swallow! We have not been able to fulfill that request. If we move, while this work is not finished, then the keris we are making is not as good as expected. After all, there is still a lot of flat land that is better to put Mount Jamurdipa it,” said Empu Pamadi.

Seeing the determination of the hearts of the two masters, Empu Narada and the God of Filtering began to lose patience. Because of carrying out Batara Guru's mandate, they were forced to threaten the two masters to move from the place immediately.

“God, Empu Rama and Empu Pamadi! Do not force us to expel you from this place,” said Batara Narada.

The two masters were not afraid of the acaman because they felt they were also carrying out tasks that must be completed. As both sides remained firm in their respective positions, there was finally a dispute between them. The two masters remained undaunted even though what they were facing was the messengers of the gods. With the power they have, they are ready to fight to defend the place. No doubt, even a fierce fight is inevitable. Despite being ganged by two gods and their balatents, the two masters managed to win the fight.

Batara Narada and the God of Filtering who lost the fight immediately flew to Kahyangan to report to Batara Guru.

“Ampun, Batara Guru! We failed to persuade the two masters. They are very powerful mandraguna,” reported Batara Narada.

Hearing the report Batara Guru became enraged.

“Basic is indeed stubborn of the two masters. They must be taught a lesson,” said Batara Guru.

“God of Bayu, immediately you blow up Mount Mushroompipe it!” yang Batara Guru's.

With his power, the Bayu God immediately blew the mountain away. The blast of the God Bayu like a typhoon managed to fly Mushroom to hover in space and then fell right on the fireplaces of the two masters. The two masters who were in that place were also crushed by Mount Jamurdipa to death instantly. According to the story, the spirits of the two masters then became the mount's guardian. Meanwhile, the fireplace where the two made the cherry turned into a crater. Because the crater was originally a fireplace, the gods changed the name of the mountain to Mount Merapi.