Princess Rajapatni

Princess Rajapatni - PROLOG

Princess Rajapatni - PROLOG

Dream Curtain

I remember the events of that night. Heavy rain continued to connect with lightning strikes and the sound of thunder rumbling. As if, the universe is indeed venting sorrow that has been buried for so long.

The trees in front of the kuti1 swayed so much. They seemed to be trying to survive so as not to be uprooted by the wind. Some bhiksunis shook their heads. Their faces pias. Their feet are trembling. Before the senior bhiksunis decide to take a prayer beads and start reading dharani2.

A young man with a sturdy body stood up in front of the door. Drips of water flowed over her wet skin. Her hair is unraveling, tangled in masai. A moment of uneasiness made the look on his face look terrible. If only this young man did not come to take Dyah Gitarja with food, maybe the nuns would be prejudiced to think this young man was a bramacorah.

The young man gave his prostration three times, then went on crazily in an agitated manner. I looked at his tired face. Several times I gulped, trying to make my voice soft as calm as water.

“Say, what's your purpose here, Mada.”

1 Bhiksu/bhiksuni residence.

2 Buddhist prayer mantras

Mada cupped his palms together, then put them to the tip of his nose. Once again salute, “Yang Mulia Bhante 3”

I know Mada very well. I know when he was red and in a sling. That said, this is the most troubling thing. His outstanding patriarchal qualities are unlikely to allow him to lunge the rules for da-tang into the monastery at a time like this.

Mada is too polite. Too dignified, so it is not uncommon to be a very stubborn person. It was this stubbornness that made Mada still report everything that happened in the palace. Forcing me to give responses and advice, even though I was always reluctant. Taking care of the state of a kingdom is not suitable for a nun, right?

I remember the last time Mada came here when the country was rocked by the Ra Kuti uprising. At that time, Mada ma-h served as the leader of the bhayangkari army. His emotions and loyalty to the state made his spirit overflow.

“Until when will I be involved in palace matters, Mada?” I said while shaking. “Se-mua as I know, I already said. All knowledge, I have taught. After all, I should not be involved anymore with the affairs of the country.”

“It is appropriate that you know all the problems that occur in the palace. Whatever happens, you're still the royal family's god, Gusti His Majesty.” The young man cupped his palms covering his face. Same as's

3 Calls to monks

perti now, many times, Mada exhaled, riled. His shoulders are agitated. It's always the case if there's something big to say.

“Am I wrong, come looking for you? Only you care. While others only dared to bow their faces in front of the king. Dare not fight his evil. I don't want this country to collapse just because of the arbitrariness of a ruler.”

“Mada ”

I tried to stop Mada. However, the young man's body trembled. Is he panicking? What kind of trouble happened to be able to shake a person as tough as Ma-da?

I saw Mada shrinking her nose and then silent. I have to second-guess what is on his mind now or what problem he is trying to say to me.

“You remember? When I was appointed as Patih Daha, you who spoke in front of the court officials, defended this young man whose origins were unclear. Youth who have the potential to become traitors.” His voice sounded more and more blunt. “Only you.. who trust me.”

Presumably, Mada has begun to be able to control emotions. His sturdy shoulders are now upright. His fingers were silent no longer moving restlessly.

“At this time, I don't know..I can still maintain the trust you give it. Am I still the same patriot, or turned into the traitor everyone fears.”

“Gusti Rajapatni.” Finally the old call came out of Mada's mouth. “Do I commit a sin? Is it wrong to get rid of one person for the sake of safety - and hundreds or even thousands of people?”

I knit my eyebrows, confused. I haven't thought, Mada has continued.

“King has died.” The young man looked down without daring to look at me.

I flinched backwards, shocked by this news. As far as I know, Jayanagara does suffer from boils, 4 just like Kakanda Kertarajasa. However, I did not expect, his death would come so soon.

“How can the king die?”

Mada gritted her fingers. It seemed that he was gathering all his courage to speak. “Ra Tanca killed Prabu Jayanagara. He stabbed the Prabu with the knife he used to operate the boils.”

I let out a breath. “Ra Tanca? Palace Physician? Kill Jayanagara?”

Mada nodded.

“Where is the healer now?”

“I instantly killed him.” Mada links ja-ri. The look in his eyes implied guilt. “I am waiting for the treatment process, Majesty. So, once the king is killed, I am unable to hold back.”

4 There is an assumption that says that boils are tumor diseases.

“Mada, Mada.” I shook my head unable to deal with the sadness. “If you take care of your Majesty, I would rather believe that you thwarted his murderous efforts, not even kill the culprit.”

“Gusti,” this time Mada looked at me with full supplication. “Gusti has known how Prabu Jayanagara behaves all this time. Do we have to keep silent to see the destruction in his hands?”

Mada's voice boomed just like the thunder outside. The flash of anger was clearly visible in his eyes. “Ra Tanca killed the king not without reason. The behavior of the Prabu has become an open secret. I don't know how many women have been victims! Think about it, Gusti Rajapatni! Is an immoral king capable of ruling the country fairly?”

I'm speechless. Remember the state teachings I once gave to Mada. Not infrequently I remind that the government should be controlled by clean-hearted people.

In fact, it was very embarrassing to know the deepest secrets of the palace. Especially regarding the coercion to the rudapaksa carried out by a king. It would be teta-pi, Mada's right. I am a palace family. I'm even the mother of two Jayanagara sisters that the king wants to marry. Not out of my mind, why would a man dare to marry his own sisters. Isn't that a very barbaric behavior?

However, as barbaric as Jayanagara, he remained as a king. More than that, Jayanagara is a human being. Should I say that killing Jayanagara was a worthy act? Murder is an act opposed by the Buddha. Even stepping on an ant has become a sin for me. Then how should I respond to this king's godmother?

“Did I make a mistake, Gusti Rajapatni? Or do I have to keep quiet despite knowing the country will be destroyed?” Mada covered her face with her palms. The silence mixed with sadness suddenly reminded me of something.

My past. Her past.

Ah, this young man. I've told her many stories. The story of the Battle of Bharatayudha, the Story of Ramayana, the Bha-gavad Gita, the story of the birth of Ancient Mataram, Jenggala, Kadiri, about the dynasties, and the knights in Java.

But I have never told him this story: my own life.

Maybe this time, I should tell you. The Rajapatni he knew also had weaknesses. Also has land.

“Mada.” I clasped the robe. A single tear suddenly fell as I remembered it. The past is like the curtain of dreams. All the fading beauty, with age.