Lembu

Balinese constellation: Lembu (an ox), re-drawn by Jessica Gullberg for the planetarium software Stellarium (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula & Jessica Gullberg)

Lěmbu is an Oceanic name from Bali (Indonesia). The lintang of lěmbu is found in intersection of Coma (Monday, in saptawara) and Wage (in pancawara) in a series of palelintangan. Lintang lěmbu means ox constellation.

Etymology and History

Lembu (IPA: [ləmˈbu]) is inherited from the Malay, Proto-Mon-Khmer meaning cow, ox.

Spelling Variants

• Sapi

Origin of Constellation

Lembu is a sacred animal in Bali. Although not as sacred as in India, Lembu still have an important place in traditional ceremonies, especially as a symbol of fertility, strength, and perseverance. In some villages, Lembu are used in agricultural rituals such as traditional ploughing of fields, which contains the meaning of respect for nature. In addition, the majority of Hindus do not eat cows because cows are the mounts of the god Shiva.

Mythology / Religion

It is said that Bhatari Uma wanted to listen to the teachings of Bhatara Guru (Lord Shiva). However, before these teachings were given, Bhatari Uma was asked by Bhatara Guru to look for the milk of a female black cow. Bhatari Uma's loyalty was tested by Batara Guru. "Bhatari Uma went to Earth," he said. Unbeknownst to Bhatari Uma, Bhatara Guru also changed his form into a black cattle herder.

Furthermore, the herdsman was named Rare Angon. The black ox that Rare Angon grazes is the white ox belonging to Bhatara Guru who was cursed to become a female black ox. Next, Rare Angon met Bhatari Uma. Bhatari Uma appeared to buy milk from the black cow owned by Rare Angon.

Rare Angon in his dialogue asked Dewi Uma why she bought milk. However, Bhatari Uma answered that the milk would certainly be useful. In fact, Rare Angon was even offered gold as a substitute. Rare Angon was not interested in gold. He would give milk as long as his beauty was used as a ransom. Because according to him, Dewi Uma's beauty is very valuable, worthy of being bought with a thousand countries.

What Rare Angon said made Bhatari Uma's heart blush. Rare Angon's words were just let go. Her mind was confused, thinking about it again, there was no other way but to follow Rare Angon's wishes. In fact, Dewi Uma even hid that she was married. Rare Angon's heart was happy, then he did their deal. After completing her promise, Rare Angon gave the black cow's milk. Rare Angon excused himself to Bhatari Uma to go ride the female black cow.

Rare Angon disappeared, it is unimaginable where he went. Bhatari Uma thought about her cheating in getting her wish. While walking home, the milk was carried in a golden jug. It is not told on the journey. It is told that before Bhatari Uma met Batara Guru, Bhatara Guru was crowning Sang Hyang Pancadewata.

In his coronation, Sang Hyang Pancadewata was given advice, and given a title by Bhatara Guru, namely Sang Hyang Kusika, Sang Hyang Gargha, Sang Hyang Maitri, Sang Hyang Kurusya and Sang Hyang Pretanjala. He is a member of the Pancakasika group because he was born from the holiness of Bhatara Guru's hands. Sang Hyang Kusika was born from the thumb (Anggusta), in the form of Pradhana.

Sang Hyang Garga was born from the index finger (tarjini), in the form of Purusa. Sang Hyang Maitri was born from the middle finger (madiamika) in the form of Brahma. Sang Hyang Kurusya was born from the ring finger (manamika) in the form of Vishnu. Sang Hyang Pretanjala was born from the little finger (kanistika) in the form of Mahadewa. Thus his manifestation became Bhatara Pancasiwa. He is worthy of purifying the entire universe. Next they were asked to meditate by Bhatara Guru. Sang Hyang Pancasiwa excused himself, and worshiped at the feet of Bhatara Guru. It is said that Bhatari Uma came to worship at the feet of Bhatara Guru. He offered milk.

The milk was received by Bhatara Guru with a gentle gaze. Next Bhatara Guru asked Sang Hyang Ghana to divine the journey of his mother (Bhatari Uma) on her journey to find black cow's milk. Sang Hyang Ghana obeyed, then took the library, a gift from Bhatara Guru previously. Before the library was read, a mantra was given to it.

The image of his mother appearing to be unfaithful to the shepherd. This was conveyed to Bhatara Guru. Bhatara Guru looked blushing. How angry Bhatari Uma was and immediately said harshly.

“What did you say, Ghana? You are still a baby, pretending to know how to predict something unclear. You are so cruel to criticize your mother's behavior! You do not know the secret! If only you did not hold the sacred library, you would have been eaten by me. Who do you think your mother is? Am I not the embodiment of Durga? I can swallow the earth!

Thus said Bhatari Uma blaspheming. Fire came out of Bhatari Uma's eyes. It was very powerful and destroyed the library so that in an instant it turned into ashes. Sang Hyang Ghana's heart was saddened by the burning of the library. The script was rewritten by Sang Hyang Ghana. Bhatari Uma told Sang Hyang Kumara to trample on the dust of the library.

Immediately Sang Hyang Kumara trampled on the ashes of the library with both feet. Because of the trampling, the ashes of the library scattered and spread so that they could no longer be seen by the eye. Sang Hyang Ghana was angry with Sang Hyang Kumara. Sang Hyang Ghana transformed into Sang Hyang Ghanamurti, with four arms, and four fangs. Sang Hyang Kumara was captured and massacred. Soon Bhatara Guru came and greeted Sang Hyang Ghana in a friendly manner.

"O Ghana, don't do that! That is called Brahmatya, which can result in your purity being lost! He is still a child. If someone is not yet fourteen years old, don't be punished, stop your anger towards Sang Hyang Kumara! Later, when Sang Hyang Kumara is older, more than ten years old, there you will continue your anger towards Sang Hyang Kumara," said Bhatara Guru.

"From the short story above, a common thread can be drawn that the black cattle that exist in this world originate from white cattle which were cursed to become black cattle by Bhatara Guru when he transformed into a cattle herder," he explained.

The white ox found in Taro Village is the belief of the people of Taro Village that the ox belonged to Bhatara Guru who was entrusted to them to be looked after by a maharesi named Rsi Markandeya.

Image Variants

• 

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

• 

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

• 

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

Cultural Beliefs

Numerology (Neptu/Urip)

Coma (Monday, in saptawara) has a value of 4 and Wage (in pancawara) has a value of 4. Thus, the total urip on this lintang is 8.

Astrological Characteristics

Rarely finds happiness, his life is in regret. Acts carefully and thoughtfully, honestly and attentively to other people's plight. When angry he loses self-control.

Matching Gemstones

Daluman (Giok/Jade), Nari Gangga/ Mata Kucing (Chrysobery Cat Eye).

All HIP Stars within this constellation

Stars within the Constellation Area

id	Label	IAU design.	description	Vmag
1	Aldebaran	HIP 21421	within constellation lines	0.86
2	Elnath	HIP 25428	within constellation lines	1.65
3	Alcyone	HIP 17702	within constellation lines	2.87
4	Tianguan	HIP 26451	within constellation lines	3.03
5	λ Tauri	HIP 18724	within constellation lines	3.41
6	Chamukuy	HIP 20894	Inside the Hull	3.41
7	Ain	HIP 20889	within constellation lines	3.53
8	ο Tauri	HIP 15900	within constellation lines	3.6
9	Atlas	HIP 17847	Inside the Hull	3.63
10	Prima Hyadum	HIP 20205	within constellation lines	3.65
11	ξ Tauri	HIP 16083	within constellation lines	3.75
12	Secunda Hyadum	HIP 20455	Inside the Hull	3.76
13	θ 1 Tauri	HIP 20885	Inside the Hull	3.84
14	ν Tauri	HIP 18907	within constellation lines	3.883
15	5 Tau	HIP 16369	Inside the Hull	4.1
16	κ 1 Tauri	HIP 20635	Inside the Hull	4.201
17	τ Tauri	HIP 21881	within constellation lines	4.258
18	90 Tau	HIP 21589	Inside the Hull	4.27
19	μ Tauri	HIP 19860	Inside the Hull	4.279
20	υ Tauri	HIP 20711	Inside the Hull	4.282
21	δ 3 Tauri	HIP 20648	Inside the Hull	4.298
22	37 Tau	HIP 19038	Inside the Hull	4.37
23	71 Tau	HIP 20713	Inside the Hull	4.48
24	ι Tauri	HIP 23497	Inside the Hull	4.615
25	ρ Tauri	HIP 21273	Inside the Hull	4.65
26	σ 2 Tauri	HIP 21683	Inside the Hull	4.665
27	π Tauri	HIP 20732	Inside the Hull	4.69
28	ο 1 Orionis	HIP 22667	Inside the Hull	4.721
29	-	HIP 21029	Inside the Hull	4.764
30	δ 2 Tauri	HIP 20542	Inside the Hull	4.8
31	114 Tau	HIP 25539	Inside the Hull	4.868
32	ω 2 Tauri	HIP 19990	Inside the Hull	4.914
33	109 Tau	HIP 24822	Inside the Hull	4.948
34	* 47 Tau A	HIP 19740	Inside the Hull	4.95
35	75 Tau	HIP 20877	Inside the Hull	4.969
36	79 Tau	HIP 20901	Inside the Hull	5.014
37	30 Tau	HIP 17771	Inside the Hull	5.07
38	σ 1 Tauri	HIP 21673	Inside the Hull	5.076
39	97 Tau	HIP 22565	Inside the Hull	5.085
40	Pleione	HIP 17851	Inside the Hull	5.09
41	66 Tau	HIP 20522	Inside the Hull	5.098
42	4 Tau	HIP 16322	Inside the Hull	5.124
43	43 G. Tau	HIP 19799	Inside the Hull	5.218
44	58 Tau	HIP 20261	Inside the Hull	5.242
45	κ 2 Tauri	HIP 20641	Inside the Hull	5.264
46	l Tau	HIP 23871	Inside the Hull	5.28
47	46 Tau	HIP 19719	Inside the Hull	5.29
48	56 Tau	HIP 20186	Inside the Hull	5.346
49	χ Tauri	HIP 20430	Inside the Hull	5.378
50	83 Tau	HIP 21036	Inside the Hull	5.395
51	-	HIP 18975	Inside the Hull	5.42
52	93 Tau	HIP 21735	Inside the Hull	5.445
53	-	HIP 17776	Inside the Hull	5.45
54	81 Tau	HIP 21039	Inside the Hull	5.454
55	118 Tau	HIP 25695	Inside the Hull	5.48
56	53 Tau	HIP 20171	Inside the Hull	5.482
57	-	HIP 23043	Inside the Hull	5.49
58	103 Tau	HIP 23900	Inside the Hull	5.5
59	ω 1 Tauri	HIP 19388	Inside the Hull	5.504
60	36 Tau	HIP 19009	Inside the Hull	5.512
61	72 Tau	HIP 20789	Inside the Hull	5.514
62	80 Tau	HIP 20995	Inside the Hull	5.552
63	57 Tau	HIP 20219	Inside the Hull	5.568
64	32 Tau	HIP 18471	Inside the Hull	5.617
65	63 Tau	HIP 20484	Inside the Hull	5.625
66	51 Tau	HIP 20087	Inside the Hull	5.631
67	* 80 Tau A	HIP 20995	Inside the Hull	5.666
68	13 Tau	HIP 17309	Inside the Hull	5.69
69	26 G. Tau	HIP 18805	Inside the Hull	5.691
70	60 Tau	HIP 20400	Inside the Hull	5.71
71	-	HIP 20842	Inside the Hull	5.711
72	6 Tau	HIP 16511	Inside the Hull	5.757
73	89 Tau	HIP 21588	Inside the Hull	5.776
74	-	HIP 22913	Inside the Hull	5.776
75	98 Tau	HIP 23088	Inside the Hull	5.785
76	99 Tau	HIP 23068	Inside the Hull	5.806
77	-	HR 1243	Inside the Hull	5.81
78	* 118 Tau A	HIP 25695	Inside the Hull	5.84
79	HU Tau	HIP 21604	Inside the Hull	5.842
80	-	HIP 18735	Inside the Hull	5.865
81	-	HIP 20804	Inside the Hull	5.87
82	76 Tau	HIP 20873	Inside the Hull	5.892
83	39 Tau	HIP 19076	Inside the Hull	5.9
84	105 Tau	HIP 23883	Inside the Hull	5.92
85	-	HIP 19376	Inside the Hull	5.927
86	-	HIP 19284	Inside the Hull	5.94
87	-	HIP 18170	Inside the Hull	5.946
88	-	HIP 20417	Inside the Hull	5.95
89	-	HIP 20614	Inside the Hull	5.965
90	-	HIP 22176	Inside the Hull	5.981
91	V1141 Tau	HIP 20493	Inside the Hull	5.986
92	85 Tau	HIP 21137	Inside the Hull	5.998
93	V1116 Tau	HIP 21459	Inside the Hull	6.019
94	33 Tau	HIP 18485	Inside the Hull	6.038
95	-	HIP 17921	Inside the Hull	6.07
96	-	HIP 19261	Inside the Hull	6.07
97	-	HIP 17453	Inside the Hull	6.074
98	-	HIP 19641	Inside the Hull	6.087
99	-	HIP 20255	Inside the Hull	6.094
100	-	HIP 24820	Inside the Hull	6.107
101	96 Tau	HIP 22441	Inside the Hull	6.11
102	V1137 Tau	HIP 19672	Inside the Hull	6.12
103	14 Tau	HIP 17408	Inside the Hull	6.14
104	-	HIP 20284	Inside the Hull	6.141
105	95 Tau	HIP 21961	Inside the Hull	6.151
106	-	HIP 17900	Inside the Hull	6.153
107	-	HIP 18508	Inside the Hull	6.165
108	-	HIP 17058	Inside the Hull	6.168
109	-	HIP 23589	Inside the Hull	6.188
110	-	HIP 21689	Inside the Hull	6.2
111	-	HIP 24977	Inside the Hull	6.205
112	40 G. Tau	HIP 19720	Inside the Hull	6.249
113	-	HIP 19736	Inside the Hull	6.25
114	108 Tau	HIP 24512	Inside the Hull	6.27
115	-	HIP 25806	Inside the Hull	6.291
116	48 Tau	HIP 19877	Inside the Hull	6.3
117	47 G. Tau	HIP 20188	Inside the Hull	6.3
118	84 Tau	HIP 21082	Inside the Hull	6.303
119	-	HIP 18717	Inside the Hull	6.305
120	-	HIP 22949	Inside the Hull	6.324
121	-	HIP 22128	Inside the Hull	6.329
122	-	HIP 24984	Inside the Hull	6.33
123	62 Tau	HIP 20533	Inside the Hull	6.337
124	25 G. Tau	HIP 18658	Inside the Hull	6.34
125	-	HIP 22850	Inside the Hull	6.347
126	-	HIP 21408	Inside the Hull	6.35
127	SZ Tau	HIP 21517	Inside the Hull	6.37
128	V766 Tau	HIP 18033	Inside the Hull	6.38
129	-	HIP 20558	Inside the Hull	6.39
130	NGC 1647	NGC 1647	Inside the Hull	6.4
131	-	HIP 16924	Inside the Hull	6.42
132	70 Tau	HIP 20661	Inside the Hull	6.439
133	26 Tau	HIP 17832	Inside the Hull	6.464
134	-	HIP 21053	Inside the Hull	6.491
135	-	HIP 23949	Inside the Hull	6.5
136	-	HIP 24252	Inside the Hull	6.79

References

• References (general)