Indonesian Ramayana: The Uttarakanda

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The classical Indonesian Ramayana: Uttarakanda was composed sometime during the period A.D. 991 to A.D. 1016. It was written in Kawi, the official language of then Indonesian society. Dr. I. Gusti Putu Phalgunadi presents its English translation, the first of its kind in any European language, to popularise this work of literary value among those English-reading people of the world who are unable to read it in its original form. King Dharmavansa-teguh-Anantavikramottungadeva was the most powerful, ruler of the Isana dynasty. It was under the reign of King Dharmavansa-teguh-Anantavikramottungadeva that the famous Adiparva, Sabhaparva, Virataparva, Udyogaparva and Bhismaparva of the Mahabharata were composed in Kawi language. He laid down ideals in every sphere of life and under his rule East Jawa rose to dizzy heights. The Sanskrit Ramayana composed by Adikavi Maharsi Balmiki consists of seven kandas or books, namely Balakanda, Ayodhyakanda, Aranyakakanda, Kiskindhakanda, Sundarakanda, Yuddhakanda and Uttarakanda. The classical Indonesian Ramayana (Kakawin), however contains only six kandas. The Uttarakanda figures as a separate work having an independent identity of its own. The salient feature of the classical Indonesian Uttarakanda is the way in which the classical Indonesian Uttarakanda is divided. It consists of chapters (sargah) and the end of each chapter is stated in Sanskrit the title denoting the content and the serial number of the chapter. Besides, the quotations of the Sanskrit slokas in the classical Indonesian Uttarakanda are faithfully taken from the text of the Balmiki’s Ramayana. The main plot of this work is based on the Balmiki’s Uttarakanda. However, it is not a translation of the Sanskrit work. This English translation of the Indonesian Ramayana: Uttarakanda original has been done for the first time. Its corresponding Kawi text is given in opposite pages to enable researchers to understand in depth studies. This work will be of use to students of the Indian epic, Indonesian literature, cultural anthropology, performing arts, linguistic and allied disciplines.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR I. Gusti Putu Phalgunadi

Born in Puri Gerenceng, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia Dr. I. Gusti Putu Phalgunadi received his graduation in Bali itself in Institute of Hindu Dharma with a thesis on 'A Glance of Tembang Badung Temple'. Further, he specialised in Agamic Hinduism and Ancient Indian History. At the end of 1978, he won a scholarship to India, where he continued his studies centred on Agamic Hinduism. Since then, he has been continuously living in India to the present, with support from various scholarships: 1978-79 Scholarship from International Academy of Indian Culture; 1979-81 General Culture Scholarship Scheme from Government of India; 1981-85 General Culture Scholarship Scheme from Government of India; 1985-88 Senior Scholarship Holder from Indian Council of Historical Research. Dr. I. Gusti Putu Phalgunadi has contributed with many articles and published many books such as: Hinduism in Bali (1984), The Indonesian Mahabharata: Adiparva (1990), Evolution of Hindu Culture in Bali (1991), The Indonesian Mahabharata: Virataparva (1992), The Indonesian Mahabharata-Udyogaparva (1994), A Fundamental Dictionary of Balinese Language and Culture (1995), The Indonesian Mahabharata-Bhismaparva (1995), Study of the South-East Asian Chronical Pararaton (1996), The Indonesian Mahabharata Asramavasaparva, Mausaparva, Svargarohanaparva, Prasthanikaparva (1997). At present he is working on the subject: "The Harivamsa Purana in Indonesia", as well as translating the Sabhaparva and the Brahmandapurana.