Gajahmina

Gajahmina is an Oceanic name from Bali (Indonesia). The lintang of gajahmina is found in intersection of Buda (Wednesday, in saptawara) and Paing (in pancawara) in a series of palelintangan. Lintang gajahmina means elephant-fish constellation.

Etymology and History

Gajahmina consist of term “Gajah” (IPA: /ˈɡad͡ʒah/ [ˈɡa.d͡ʒah]) and “mina” (IPA: [ˈmina]). Gajah is derived from the Sanskrit गज, gaja, which means elephant. While mina is derived from Sanskrit मीन, mīna, which means fish.

Spelling Variants

• gadjahmina
• gadjamina
• gajamina
• makara
• kampaus

Origin of Constellation

Gajah Mina is a combination of an elephant and a fish in the form of an ancient animal, a type of fish with an elephant's head, which in the Yama Tattwa palm leaf manuscript is used by the Wesia Dynasty as an adventure in the cremation ceremony. The form of an elephant-headed fish is also often depicted or carved on temples as a decorative motif in temple architecture that has an archaeological history.

The description of Gajah Mina comes from the elders of a coastal village. The elders said that the creature was as big as a whale, had a trunk like an elephant, had fur on its body with a pair of tusks and in some cases, had wide ears. Philosophically, he continued, the Gajah Mina shrine is a symbol of the tremendous power of the King of the Ocean, namely Dewa Baruna.

Gajah Mina is also associated with the story of the salvation of the world by Matsya, who is the Avatara of Vishnu in the form of an Elephant-Headed Fish. Gajah Mina is the vehicle of the God Baruna and Goddess Gangga.

Mythology / Religion

Makara is one of the most common Hindu mythological animals found in the archipelago, of course in its form as a statue. Many versions call Makara a sea giant. It has a form that is a combination of three types of animals. Makara has a body like a crocodile, a fish tail and an elephant head - more precisely, it has an elephant trunk. This mythological animal, known in Bali as gajamina - the elephant fish, is a symbol of water and darkness, therefore, in Hindu conception, Makara is often associated as a vehicle for the god Baruna or Varuna - the god who rules the seas and oceans and the goddess Gangga - the goddess who guards the holy river Ganges in India. The form of Makara in the form of a statue is often found at the end of the entrance to the temple. Usually this Makara is paired with other mythological animals, known as Kala or Kirtimukha - animals that are depicted with lion faces and are often carved at the top of the entrance to the temple, niches around the main chamber of the temple and sometimes behind the statue. Kala or Kirtimukha is a symbol of the sun and illumination. Kala and Makara, each symbolize two opposing aspects, sun – water, light – dark, up – down. In practice, these two animals are never separated, because the union of these two mythological animals is a symbol of harmony and balance in the universe.

Cultural Beliefs

Numerology (Neptu/Urip)

Buda (Wednesday, in saptawara) has a value of 7 and Paing (in pancawara) has a value of 9. Thus, the total urip on this lintang is 16.

Astrological Characteristics

Happiness always comes, any job produces money and wealth, and they generally live long. They have good alertness, weigh every action well, do not like to interfere in other people's affairs. Unfortunately, they are greedy and often indulge in dark desires (the-blindness).

Matching Gemstones

Nila  (saphire), Kalimaya (opal), Mirah Delima (Ruby).

References

• References (general)