The Island of a Thousand Temples (14)
The Mythological Existence of ‘Kamulan Taksu’

The mythological existence resource of pelinggih Kamulan Taksu (sacred shrine/worshiping site of Hindus core family) was described in Lontar Medang Kemulan (manuscript) belonging to the late Jro Mangku from Bualu village, South Kuta Regency (Badung). At first, the way of that manuscript starting the story, Hyang Widhi Wasa (God the Almighty) creates Bhatara Kala and Manusa Tunggal in this universe – bhatara/dewa (deity) = holy light, Hyang Widi, kala = time, manusa tunggal = single human.

It is called Manusa Tunggal (the single human) because it is the only human and first human sprung by the God’s within this universe. The description in Lontar Medang Kemulan is quite different with Manawa Dharmasastra (I:32). In the sloka (couplet) of Manawa Dharmasastra, it declared that God creates man and woman in the same time, whereas it unexplained in Lontar Medang Kamulan about the gender of this Manusa Tunggal.
After that Manusa Tunggal growth, according to Lontar Medang Kemulan, he/she wants to know who is the creator of him/herself. He attends the question to Bhatara Kala – the only ‘mate’ that he/she found in this universe. “Oh, that is Sang Hyang Widhi who creates you,” said Bhatara Kala. “Can I meet with Hyang Widhi,” said Manusa Tunggal in crumpling voice, however Bhatara Kala could not dare to give any answer without any permission from Hyang Widhi.
In connection with the question, Bhatara Kala left Manusa Tunggal alone, and later on asking permission to Hyang Widhi, whether he can appeared with Manusa Tunggal. Sang Hyang Widhi permitted Manusa Tunggal to appear as long as he/she examined to test his/her pureness mind and soul.
The first exam, Bhatara Kala swallowed Manusa Tunggal wholly in life condition. Because both of them are created by God and bestowed of equal divine power and authority, Bhatara Kala could not swallow Manusa Tunggal. Each time Batara Kala swallows, Manusa Tunggal able to escape from the nine holes of Bhatara Kala, which are nose (2 holes), ears (2 holes), eyes (2 holes), mouth, bottom, and genital. Finally, Bhatara Kala reported the result to Hyang Widhi.
Bhatara Kala requested again by Hyang Widhi to retest the Manusa Tunggal’s sincerity. The next exam, Bhatara Kala transformed becomes a thick forest to make Manusa Tunggal lost in way. This exam did not work at all, because both of their power is equal. For seeing Bhatara Kala transform become a thick forest, then Manusa Tunggal transforming becomes a one-footed animal.
It is unexplainable for the name of that one-footed animal in Lontar Medang Kamulan. By it’s name of one-footed animal, it always falls in each way it stride, and always biting anything that it can reach, including the thick forest of Bhatara Kala transformation. Its mean, more often the one-footed animal falls, it will bite the whole forest.
Bhatara Kala with his thick forest is overwhelmed facing the Manusa Tunggal’s gnaws in the form of one-footed animal. For reason, Bhatara Kala returns on his shape and convey for his failed to Hyang Widhi. At last, Sang Hyang Widhi permits Manusa Tunggal to meet Him, but not at random. For that reason, Pelinggih Kamulan appeared as the gathering media between Manusa Tunggal with Hyang Widhi. The permit from Hyang Widhi is gained by Manusa Tunggal for succeeding to defeat Bhatara Kala in his kala’s figure and thick forest.
That is the chronicle concerning Pelinggih Kamulan that presented in mythological, which arranged or made by Hindus Resi (the priest) through imagination, in order that the common Hindus member can easily absorbed it. However, beyond the mythological chronicle contains of a deep and universal philosophy value. For example, the succeed of Manusa Tunggal reaching the God after defeating Bhatara Kala in the shape of kala and alas (thick forest.
Kala in Sanskrit mean time, whereas alas (forest) as the symbol of situation or space. The human life in earth restricted by time and space. For whom that able to manage the time and space well, they will escape from the time and space limited. They deserved to obtain the God’ bestowal. Because of that reason, try to utilize the time and space well, so the life will becomes more useable to apply dharma (goodness). They who manage the time and space well, will live in harmony in this real world (sekala) and will achieve for heaven in eternity world (niskala).
By then, the function of Palinggih Kamulan is the site for the ancestor spirit who achieve into the level of Dewa Pitara, as the symbolization of success by passing the unlimited time and space. (Ketut Wiana and Berata Ashrama, editor).