Larung Paglangan

Balinese constellation: Larung Paglangan (throwing cremation ashes), re-drawn by Jessica Gullberg for the planetarium software Stellarium (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula & Jessica Gullberg)

The process of throwing ashes into the sea, CC-BY Putu Wijanatha

Larung Paglangan is an Oceanic name from Bali (Indonesia). The lintang of larung paglangan is found in intersection of Saniscara (Saturday, in saptawara) and Kliwon (in pancawara) in a series of palelintangan. Lintang Larung paglangan means throwing ashes of cremation constellation.

Etymology and History

This constellation term is consisted of two words, "larung" (IPA: [laˈruŋ]) and "paglangan" (IPA: [paˈɡəla.ŋan]).

Spelling Variants

• kirim
• djampana (old spelling)
• jampana (enhanced spelling)
• gotong majit (old spelling)
• gotong mayit (enhanced spelling)
• Pagělangan
• Lahru Pagalangan
• těmbaga
• Rarung pagělangan

Origin of Constellation

In Balinese Hindu tradition, according to the Yama Purwana Tattwa lontar, every dead person (pitra) must perform a sacred offering (Yadnya). After doing cremation, the ashes will thrown into sea.

Mythology / Religion

Throwing ashes into the middle of lake. CC-BY ekowisatamangrove.batulumbang

Larung paglangan is one of the Pitra Yadnya rituals intended for the dead person. This Pitra Yadnya ceremony is known as Ngaben. Historical evidence of the Ngaben ceremony in the past can be found in various ancient Balinese manuscripts, such as the Lontar Yama Tattwa, the Lontar Pitra Yadnya, and the Lontar Atma Prasangsa. These manuscripts explain that the spirit of the deceased needs to be purified so it can return to its origin, namely Sang Hyang Paramatma, or the One and Only God. The spirit must undergo a process of "liberation" or moksha, and one way to achieve this is through the Pitra Yadnya ceremony, one of which is the Ngaben.

This ceremony consists of several sacred stages that must be completed before, during, and after the cremation of the body. Larung paglangan is a ritual performed after the cremation of the body. The cremation of the body produces ashes, which are then scattered into a river, sea, or lake. However, in modern Bali, the scattering of ashes is more often done at sea. This process means returning the body's elements to nature, namely to release the Atma (spirit) from the shackles of the world so that it can easily unite with God (Mokshatam Atmanam).

Image Variants

• 

  Lintang Djampana (CC-BY Alfred Maaß, (1929), Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen)

• 

  Lintang Laru Paglangan in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali)

• 

  Lintang Larung Paglangan (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula taken in the ceiling of Taman Gili Klungkung Palace Bali)

Cultural Beliefs

Numerology (Neptu/Urip)

Saniscara (Saturday, in saptawara) has a value of 9 and Kliwon (in pancawara) has a value of 8. Thus, the total urip on this lintang is 17.

Astrological Characteristics

Never ending sorrow, if a woman will be sought for a honey, if a man his wife will have an affair, not considered to exist by his siblings and other relatives. Home is like hell. They are friendly to others, have a soft heart. Unfortunately, they are often trapped in their cowardly hearts and a sense of despair that is too fast.

Matching Gemstones

Mirah (ruby), Nila (Saphire), Kecubung (amethyst).

All HIP Stars within this constellation

Stars within the Constellation Area

id	Label	IAU design.	description	Vmag
1	Alioth	HIP 62956	within constellation lines	1.77
2	Alkaid	HIP 67301	within constellation lines	1.86
3	Mizar	HIP 65378	within constellation lines	2.22
4	Phecda	HIP 58001	within constellation lines	2.44
5	Megrez	HIP 59774	within constellation lines	3.32
6	73 UMa	HIP 60795	Inside the Hull	5.7
7	-	HIP 59920	Inside the Hull	5.81
8	-	HR 4917	Inside the Hull	6.02
9	1 CVn	HIP 59708	Inside the Hull	6.171
10	-	HIP 61053	Inside the Hull	6.2
11	-	HIP 65754	Inside the Hull	6.417
12	-	HIP 65698	Inside the Hull	6.43

References

• References (general)