Shivaratri: Destroy the Darkness

Wiyata Mandalas

On a field near the forest. There are a lot of tents. Many people were seen gathering there. They are the Knights of Saka and the Knight Candidates who will be in the ring together.

Forging the future Knight Saka in order to rise to a higher level. Not far from there there is a river that flows from downstream to the end. The water is clear until we can reflect there. On the banks of the river, Ganendra was sitting on a rock. Look at the slowly flowing water. It looks so calm.

The sound of someone's footsteps approaching towards him.

"You need to prepare. Soon the test starts.” greet the source of the voice that is none other than Sadana.

*Sadana

Ganendra remained silent. Look at the clear water. His voice calms the heart. Now they have fully recovered. After getting malignant smallpox. Ganendrapun returned to Medangwantu Village. Accept Buyut Wengkeng's offer to become the Knight of Saka. Ganendra's only goal was to obtain Tirta Amerta. Follow what Kalimakara ordered.

"How is the ordinance here. When do you want to’ someone who died?" ask Ganendra to Sadana.

"Men.. Praying? You mean some kind of puja?" ask Sadana.

Ganendra nodded.

"You can simply put flower petals in a basket. Stand by the river and face the Rawi. Then close your eyes and chant puja to someone who has died. After that, just toss the flower in the river."

Ganendra understood and rushed to look for the flowers that were around there. Sadana was astonished. Why did Ganendra suddenly ask that. Until shortly afterwards Ganendra returned and carried a basket containing flower petals. Standing on the riverbank facing the Sun Lord.

His eyes closed offering a solemn prayer' for the Knight Saka who had once saved him while in Medangwangi. Then sprinkle the flowers in the river. The flower petals flowed following the stream. Right along with that the sound of trumpets sounded loud. Alternate with the sound of a timid drum.

Sadana invited Ganendra to gather with the others, as it seemed like the test was about to begin. Both of them rushed to the designated place. There sounded the hustle and bustle of the crowd. The Knights of Saka as well as the Candidates from all over the kingdom in Swastamita gathered at Wiyata Mandala.

The Sun is shining very brightly. Many Saka Knights from other kingdoms were conversing with each other. The sound of drums sounds loud again. The spirit of the knights. Ganendra doesn't seem to care. He took this test instead of merely wanting to become a Saka Knight.

Not far from there, Ganendra heard a commotion. A young woman was arguing with two soldiers.

"Daughter, you better go back to the palace. The King asked Gusti Putri not to be a Knight of Saka."

The princess showed an annoyed face.

"Tell me Ramanda, I won't be back before I become a Knight."

"Te... But...no one is a woman who becomes a Knight Saka.” not the other soldier.

The Princess was about to answer, but cut off the voice of someone who reprimanded her.

"Gee... Whoa... Aren't you the woman who pushed me into the monster's den?"

*Abhirawa Ganendra

Ganendra suddenly approached the Princess who was none other than Princess Nalini. Princess Nalini observed the young man who was in front of her.

*Princess Nalini

"He??? You pervert!!" pekik Princess Nalini.

His loud voice made several pairs of Knight's eyes look towards them. The Knights whispered to each other. Their eyes looked at Ganendra while throwing a wry smile.

Ganendra's red face was extinguished feeling humiliated. He was about to argue with Princess Nalini. But Sadana hurriedly mediated. Until the sound of Bimantara as the person in charge of the training place Wiyata Mandala gave a warning.

"All the Knights of Saka please gather!!!"

The sound of drums sounded timid. The Knights of Saka gathered in one place. On a stage made of Bimantara wood, Buyut Bawada and Buyut Wengkeng stood there.

"In this training. Knights from all over the Swastamita Kingdom gathered together. Raise your tiers to the Knights of Saka. While you are the candidates for the Knights of Saka, on this day there will be a test. To determine where your level is" said Bimantara.

*bimantara

Buyut Wengkeng then took a step forward.

Rumbling sounds rang out. Their spirit is so burning. Wanted to be the Knight of Saka, the hunter knight of the Ditya. They are then grouped into the levels they have reached. Especially for the prospective Saka Knights they will be tested first. See the ability and potential that you have.

"Fight on." Sadana gives encouragement.

"Do we have such close friendships? Until you talk like this?" ask Ganendra half-little.

"As far as you go." Sadana replied.

Then gather with the Knight Saka who is at the same level as him. While Ganendra must gather with other Knight candidates. Including Princess Nalini. They throw at each other the look of dislike. In the midst of the crowd of Knight Candidates. Someone patted Ganendra's shoulder. That man was none other than Balin. Balin also took the test of the future Knight Saka.

"You're coming too?" asked Ganendra with a face of sumringah.

"of course. I don't want to miss this opportunity. Become a great Knight Saka."

"A group of useless people." ridiculed someone who was none other than Princess Nalini. Come in on the second conversation.

Ganendra's ears are reddened.

"What are you really good at? Didn't you get scared yesterday and hide behind my back?" Ganendra change mocking.

"You dare me?!" shouted Princess Nalini.

The voice of Bimantara stopped the debate of Ganendra and Princess Nalini.

"Brothers, the future Knights of Saka. Get ready, the tests will start soon."

The sound of the drums returned. Ganendra watched some of the Saka Knight candidates demonstrate his abilities. Some can jump very high. Run quickly or smash rocks with your bare hands. Although it was still a Knight candidate it seemed like they had trained first.

Now, it was Ganendra's turn to advance. All eyes looked at him. Especially looking at Ganendra's less than perfect right hand. He saw his surroundings whispering to each other. Looking down and feeling pity is her daily food.

Ganendra clenched his hands. He doesn't care how people look at him. He showed what he could. Ganendra ran away from the obstacles. Jump over some crossbar barriers made from wood piles. Avoiding the attacks launched by the other Saka Knights who tested it.

Then Ganendra was asked to destroy any object. Ganendra's eyes stared at a log. He breathed deeply. Then hit the wooden rod in front of him using his left hand with all his might.

The wooden rod instead of broken even bounced and floated into the air. Right about the head of one of the Saka Knights. Instantly made him faint. Laughter rumbled to watch the incident. Again Ganendra became a subject of ridicule. The noise sounded quite clear.

“Why is a young man with a handicapped hand like him included as a Knight candidate?”

Ganendra could only bite his lips. Resisting anger, because that's how it is. He is just a person with a disability who is always underestimated. Ganendra stared intently at everyone.

“If you dare to speak in front of me. Don't just whisper in the back.” challenge Ganendra.

Bimantara who saw the situation slightly heated up. Ask everyone to hold back their emotions. Then ask Ganendra to back off first. The turn of Princess Nalini.

All eyes were on the Princess. In the eyes of the knights, the beauty of Princess Nalini is like Goddess Kamaratih. So charming with a beautiful face. Princess Nalini advanced confidently. Bimantara then asked him to jump over several barriers.

“I'm a princess, why do such trivial things. I want to be caught immediately higher.” he said in a cocky tone.

“Huuuuuuu!!” suddenly there was the sound of cheers from the knight candidates.

“All quiet!!!” bimantara's orders in a loud voice.

Instantly all was silent. Then Bimantara stepped closer to the Princess.

“Gusti princess, to become a Knight of Saka. Can't go straight to the highest level. All through the process from the lowest level. Do it right, if Gusti really wants to be a knight. Servants will not treat Gusti as a princess here. All will be treated equally.”

Hearing Bimantara's words made Princess Nalini fold her hands on her chest with a sour face. Bimantara then tested other Knight candidates including Balin. Balin also did not show satisfactory results.

The test was carried out until the Bagaskara returned to his contest. The test for the future Knight Sakapun is complete. Ganendra, Balin, and Princess Nalini are grouped into the lowest level of the Saka Knights, Eka. They will be grazed longer than others because they have not shown significant potential.

Orange light is visible on the western horizon. Everyone finished worshiping the Creator and stopped all his activities. Ganendra is seen sitting on the river bank throwing pebbles. His face looks sour. Buyut Wengkeng walked over and approached the young man from the other world.

“Do you know the meaning, Wiyata Mandala?” ask Buyut Wengkeng.

Ganendra just shook his head. Buyut Wengkeng smiled faintly.

“The meaning behind Wiyata Mandala is a view or attitude to the teaching environment to be able to have insight. I trust you. You will be a Knight of Saka who is guided by insight and nuladha main practice. Exemplify good behavior.”

Then pat Ganendra on the shoulder. Ganendra just kept silent and looked at Sang Rawi drowning in the western horizon.