Batara Guru, The Supreme Deity in Javanese Mythology

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INDEPHEDIA.com - Bathara Guru (Written: Batara Guru) in Javanese, Indonesian mythology, is a god who rules over the three worlds, namely Mayapada, Madyapada and Arcapada.

Mayapada means the world of the gods or heaven, Madyapada means the human world or earth and Arcapada means the underworld or hell.

This embodiment of Lord Shiva who governs revelations, gifts and various knowledge, is also known by various names, such as Sang Hyang Manikmaya and Sang Hyang Caturbuja.

Later, Batara Guru was also known by the names Sang Hyang Otipati, Sang Hyang Jagadnata, Nilakanta, Trinetra and Girinata.

The name Batara Guru comes from the Sanskrit Bhattara which means "honorable lord". Meanwhile, Guru is the epithet of Wrehaspati, a Hindu god who lives and is identified with the planet Jupiter.

Batara Guru (Manikmaya) has two brothers, the eldest Sang Hyang Maha Punggung (Togog) and Sang Hyang Ismaya (Semar). Their parents, Sang Hyang Tunggal and Dewi Rekatawati.

In the story it is told, one day Dewi Rekatawati spawned a shining egg. Sang Hyang Tunggal changed the egg.

The shell of the egg became Sang Hyang Maha Punggung, the white of the egg became Sang Hyang Ismaya and the yolk became Sang Hyang Manikmaya.

Later, Sang Hyang Tunggal appointed his two older brothers to come down to earth to watch over mankind, especially the Pandavas. Meanwhile, Batara Guru leads the gods in heaven.

Batara Guru, who has a vehicle (vehicle animal) named Sang Lembu Nandini, has a magic wife named Dewi Uma and Dewi Umaranti.

Batara Guru --according to Javanese wayang tradition--- had several children, starting from the oldest, each named Bhatara Cakra, Batara Sambu, Batara Brahma, Batara Indra, Batara Bayu, Batara Wisnu, Batara Ganesha, Batara Kala and Hanoman . (*)