Blessings at Besakih Temple

Besakih Temple that is distinguished as the mother of temple is divided into seven mandalas (stairs). Current discussion will specially highlight the fourth mandala that visualizes the Omnipotence of God in his function to bestow his divine light to human beings along with his other creations. At the area of the fourth stair is also implemented various embodiments of God’s blessing and divine light.

Leading pelinggih (holy shrine) on the fourth stair is eleven-tiered meru as a medium to venerate Ratu Sunaring Jagat—Sunar (Balinese) means light. Ratu Sunaring Jagat is to honour God as giver of light for life to entire beings. The eleven-tiered meru represents all space divisions of nature. It means, God in invoking divine light and blessing is objective. No part of this hemisphere escapes his divine light. In addition, the tier of meru stands for the soul of universe. In other words, here is symbolized the light of God’s divine favour in the form of soul or spirit that overwhelms this universe.
Other than the eleven-tiered meru, there is also other shrine to venerate God as Ratu Sunaring Jagat, namely Widyadhara Widyadhari. It means, a holy shrine to abide the spiritual being as messengers of God. This shrine has four beams with a higher base. According to belief in Hinduism, Widyadhara and Widyadhari are divine lights of God to lead scientists. The word Widyadhara is derived from Sanskrit word ‘widya’ (science) and ‘dhara’ (uphold or support).
The shrine conveys one of the embodiments of God’s divine light to descend humans that master science so they become scientists that constitute significant elements for humans. So, the existence of intelligent and wise humans is due to the guidance of God as the light of his blessing.
At the fourth stair, there is also palm fibre-roofed Surya Candra or Siwa Bhuda srhine. Through this shrine, God is believed to be able to create various kinds of faith or religion. By the existence of this Siwa Bhuda shrine, God is venerated in his function as guidance counsellor to establish life attitudes that respect difference in faith. The most important thing is that such faith is meant to pursue the path of God. Therefore, God creates many paths to reach him.
The other thing that is no less attractive on the fourth stair of Besakih Temple is the holy shrine in the form of gedong (building) thatches in palm-fibre and has four beams—there is also another that has six beams. The four-beamed building is dedicated for an abode to venerate God as Ratu Ulang Alu, while the six-beamed dedicated to God’s veneration as Ida Ratu Subandar. God in his manifestation as Ida Ratu Ulang Alu is venerated to appeal for guidance in carrying out home trade, while God as guidance of devotees in carrying out international trade is called Ida Ratu Ayu Subandar.
On the fourth stair is also visualized that God descends his divine light in the form of blessing to all of his creations, chiefly humans. The mode of his divine light is Surya Candra—surya (sun) conveys warmth, while Candra (moon) represents coolness. In the Lontar Usada, a palm-leaf manuscript on traditional Balinese (Hindu) healing practice is stated that main source of illnesses originates from hot and cold qualities. Therefore, it should be cured with dumalada medicine, meaning balances of both qualities. If sickness due to heat, it should be cured with medicine containing tis (mild). If due to cold, the medicine should be with warm quality. Ideal qualities that are required for humans is warm and cool.
Likewise, God descends his light in the form of guidance for trading, both domestic and international. This matter is visualized in the form of Ratu Ayu Ulang Alu and Ida Ratu Ayu Subandar shrines. Why they are called Ratu Ayu is because trade business should be done coolly. Therefore, the terms Ratu Ayu is applied to women that connotes coolness. This implies that trade business should be conducted in a cool manner. Cool for those that produce goods and services. Cool for consumers is also certainly cool for the trader. Do not trade in matters that are only cool for tradesman, without considering the life of producers and the safety for consumers. If producers and consumers are inflicted a financial loss by tradesman, sooner or later, these tradesman will assuredly reduce to a bankrupt state, too. Doing business coolly in the modern age is called “Venus Marketing” because planet Venus in Greek mythology is only inhabited by women. Such is an illustration of God’s divine favour as Ratu Sunaring Jagat on the fourth stair at Penataran Agung of Besakih Temple. (BTN/Ketut Wiana)