Kala Sungsang

Balinese constellation: Kala Sungsang (an inverted demon), re-drawn by Jessica Gullberg for the planetarium software Stellarium (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula & Jessica Gullberg)

De demon Kala Sungsang TMnr 1646-48 (CC-BY SA I. Dewa Gedé Soberat (Schilder)).

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.

Mythology / Religion

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.

Image Variants

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

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

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

Cultural Beliefs

Numerology (Neptu/Urip)

Redite (Sunday, in saptawara) has a value of 5 and Umanis (in pancawara) has a value of 5. Thus, the total urip on this lintang is 10.

Astrological Characteristics

Self-torture, often hit by disasters and misfortunes. Unable to heed people's advice, act as they please, act as if they can do any job, are brave towards their parents, often get hurt by people, are good at hiding their feelings, are good at expressing complicated problems, like to interfere in other people's business.

Matching Gemstones

Osadi (Zambrut /emerald), Daluman (Giok/Jade), Ijo Gading (Peridot), Narigangga (Chrysoberyl cat’s eye).

All HIP Stars within this constellation

HIP 67927, HIP 69226, HIP 69592, HIP 69673, HIP 70051, HIP 70385, HIP 70602, HIP 70762, HIP 70892, HIP 71053, HIP 71075, HIP 71094, HIP 71115, HIP 71168, HIP 71243, HIP 71277, HIP 71284, HIP 71406, HIP 71490, HIP 71571, HIP 71729, HIP 71762, HIP 71795, HIP 71857, HIP 71995, HIP 72105, HIP 72124, HIP 72125, HIP 72139, HIP 72552, HIP 72567, HIP 73068, HIP 73369, HIP 73555, HIP 73634, HIP 73941, HIP 75411, HIP 74666

References

• References (general)