Kala Sungsang
Kala Sungang is an Oceanic name from Bali (Indonesia). "Kala" means "demon" and "sungsang" means "upside down". It is the demon who stole and drank the holy water of the gods that makes them immortal. The constellation (lintang) of kala sungsang is found in intersection of Redite (Sunday, in saptawara) and Umanis (in pancawara) in a series of palelintangan. Lintang kala sungsang means an upside-down demon constellation.
Etymology and History
This constellation term is consisted of two words, "kala" (IPA: /kala/) and "sungsang" (IPA: /ˈsʊŋsaŋ/).
Spelling Variants
- sungsang kala
- antja-antja (old spelling)
- anca-anca (enhanced spelling)
Origin of Constellation
Kala is derived from Sanskrit काल, that means time or death. Kala is son of the god Shiva who titled the god of time. The god Kala is often symbolized as a giant, with a scary face, dark in color and almost does not resemble a god. Kala is a symbol that no one can fight the law of karma. When it is time for someone to leave the mortal world, then at that time Kala will come to pick him up. If anyone insists on living along with their own will, then they will be destroyed by Kala. Therefore, Kala's face is very scary. But, in this case, kala sungsang is not the son of the god Shiva and goddess Durga.
While "sungsang" is from Javanese which means upside-down. This word depicts an abnormal position, what is above becomes below or what is in front becomes behind. The other meaning of "sungsang" is return back, has a meaning whatever we think, say and do, the results will definitely come back to us according to our karma.
Kala Sungsang is one of the demonic entities or negative forces that are considered to be present in traditional Balinese beliefs. He is often associated with the bala rencang at Pura Dalem and acts as a guard for Ida Bhatara Pengulun Setra. In the imagination of the Balinese people, Kala sungsang is depicted as a tall and large giant figure, with a scary face, and an upside-down body position, where his head is below and his feet are above. He walks using both hands.
Kala Sungsang symbolizes the figure who is the cause of all times or conditions that are contrary to the conditions that should be, especially in the Kali Yuga era. This includes an abnormal natural phenomenon, such as weather that is not in accordance with the season, as well as human traits that are contrary to their nature.
Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation
Mythology
Based on the chronicle in the Purwa Bhumi Kamulan Lontar, Kala Sungsang was created when the goddess Durga was meditating.
Based on Andhabhuwana lontar, it is mentioned that the origin of the existence of Dewi Uma changed into Dewi Durga (ruler of the grave) because she received a curse from Lord Shiva. The curse caused Dewi Uma, who was titled Dewi Durga, to stay in the world and would return to Siwa Loka after being purified.
After descending to the world, she did a ritual. When Goddess Durga was meditating, various spirits and negative forces emerged from the hairs all over her body. These spirits, with their strange and scary appearances, have the task of misleading and testing the determination of humans in carrying out dharma. Among these creatures, Bhuta Sungsang has a special task of confusing the minds of humans so that they have difficulty distinguishing between reality and illusion and become reversed in their thoughts and actions.
In the Nusa Penida chronicle, Goddess Durga resides as the ruling deity of the grave followed by 108 Bhuta-Bhuti. The following are the names of the butha kala and butha kali that accompany the presence of Goddess Durga in the grave, namely, bhùta banaspati, yamapati, mregapati, banaspatiraja, bhùta saliwah, bhùta salah rupa, bhùta Enjek-pupu, Tangan-tangan, Laweyan, Kumangmang, Anja-anja, Mamedi, Bhùta Sungsang, Udug-Basur, Ileg-ileg, Papengkah, Barong Asepek, I Gagendu, Suku-tunggal, kakawa, Mretyu, Togtogsil, Raregek, Raparayu, Kala Ngadang, bhùta Tan-pakuping, bhùta Bungut-sasibak, and so on. The task of Dewa Durga and her 108 followers is to spread disease, create drought, disaster in the world. However, the main target is humans who forget to devote themselves to the Almighty God.
Kala Sungsang is considered one of the 15 most powerful Bhutas among the soldiers. Kala Sungsang is believed to be the cause of human thoughts and behavior being reversed or not in accordance with the norms that should be. This is reflected in the decline of customary norms, religion, manners, and community ethics.
Weblinks
References
- References (general)
