|
Bali,
Island of A Million Statues
 Foreign
artists and spiritual devotees coming to
Bali are frequently enchanted to see several
kinds of effigies that could be easily encountered
in many places. For instance, at temples
or other sacred places, in the midst of
crossroads, offices or probably at the hotel
where you stay at this moment. It is not
astonishing that Bali is also known as the
Island of A Million Effigies. In the perspective
of the artists and spiritual devotees, those
effigies, which are presented with various
offerings everyday, other than having full
aesthetical value reflecting artistic soul
nobility of its sculptor, are also seen
to exude holiness and magic vibration that
generates spiritual power within the human
itself.
For Balinese people, such effigies are indeed
sacred as a manifestation symbol of the
Supreme God called deva or bhatara-bhatari
preserving and protecting the human life
and the universe. These effigies are became
a medium of concentration in venerating
such devas, which in Balinese tradition
are called pratima, pralingga or tapakan.
The method of venerating by concentration
focused on God’s manifestation in
the form of deva’s effigy is called
murti puja. For instance, as the creator
of the universe along with its content,
God is embodied in the Lord Brahma effigy
venerated at Pura Desa (Village Temple).
As protector or preserver of the universe
and its content, He is embodied in the form
of effigy Lord Vishnu and venerated at Pura
Puseh. As destroyer or pemrelina, He is
embodied in the form of effigy Lord Shiva
and venerated at Pura Dalem, which location
is in close proximity to a cemetery. In
front of the entrance gate of Pura Dalem
occur two effigies named Sang Suratma and
Sang Jogormanik.
According to faith of the Balinese, the
Lord Shiva effigy is a manifestation of
Yama’s subordinate or deity assigned
by Shiva to bring the human soul to justice
and impose a penalty on him after death
in compliance with his deeds in the mundane
world. Sang Suratma is in charge to record
all behaviour and deeds during his lifetime
and then the record is handed over to Yama
on presiding over human souls in the process
of reinforcing karmaphala in celestial world.
Later, Sang Jogormanik will take firm action
to execute the concerned souls in conformity
with the decision of Yama’s court
of justice. Heavenly court, in the faith
of Balinese people, takes place honestly
and no legal adviser or collusion and nepotism
issues occur. If you happen to pass by on
the Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai and enter the
Roundabouts, you will see the Deva Ruci
effigy standing firmly in the midst of crossroads.
This conveys the manifestation of unassailability
of human faith in revering the greatness
of God so they can attain the life perfect-ness
as symbolized by the figure Bima who is
searching for tirtha amertha (holy water)
in the bottom of vast ocean. Within his
passage to find the holy water, he undergoes
many stumbling blocks, temptations and tortures,
before attaining the holy blessing and spiritual
enlightenment. By this effigy, everyone
is expected to always be alert and look
out in order not to be involved in accidents
or get lost. Or when you join the city tour
programme, you will see the Catur Mukha
effigy in downtown Denpasar. It represents
the manifestation of Lord Brahma having
four countenances. With these four faces
Brahma can see thoroughly towards all directions
in performing His duty as the Creator of
all beings and they all can flourish and
develop in accordance with their respective
place. The Catur Mukha makes everybody,
passing by in downtown Denpasar, to be always
on guard, pay proper attention to the roads
and finally arrive home safely. Traffic
flows in Denpasar today are indeed crowded
as it became the capital of Bali province
and has a high annual rate of population
growth.
Other than effigies mentioned above, there
are many more sacred effigies and you can
find them easily during your holiday on
this island such as the Sarasvati effigy,
the embodiment of goddess having control
over learning or Ganesha as the embodiment
of Lord Gana who is expert at prophecy and
preserver of human welfare against evil
spirit. At Lovina Beach, Singaraja a Ganesha
effigy has been established that is claimed
to be the highest of its kind in Asia. To
look on more sacred effigies, please amble
to village corners across Bali. If you are
lucky, you can observe the ritual tradition
of the effigy making, starting from finding
out its material to its placement on sacred
location. However, you may not touch them
or kindly avoid to utter rude words in front
of those sacred effigies as this can expose
you to danger.
Pre-Hindu
Period
The Art of sculpture constituting a part
of fine arts in Bali has been known since
prehistoric period. He History of Bali is
divided into four periods, namely pre-Hindu
(VIII century); Balinese Kingdoms (VIII-XIII);
Period on the Advent of Majapahit People
(XIII-XV); and Contact with Westerner and
Independence Period (XV-XX) (Kanta: 1977/1978).
Fine arts found during the pre-Hindu period,
according to data found in Bedahulu Archaeological
Museum, Gianyar, consists of various tools
made of stone (Palaeolithic period), bone
and horn tools (Mesolithic Period), tools
of refined stone (Neolithic), sarcophagus
(Megalithic) and many kinds of effigies,
bracelet, lamp, kettledrum from Bronze and
Iron Age. Shiva, Vishnu, Bhairava sects
and so forth influenced its development
during the pre-Hindu period. This was proven
by the findings of megalithic effigy relics
of Pancering Jagat at Trunyan and the Bhairava
at Pejeng. Additionally, people also found
the Bronze Kettledrum at Penataran Sasih
Temple, Pejeng. Balinese people know this
kettledrum as "Moon of Pejeng"
because its circular shape looks like a
moon.
If you would like to have an effigy as souvenir
of Bali, you can purchase it at Sukawati
Art Market or other art shops located at
tourist objects. Along the Batubulan, Singapadu,
Silakarang roadside in Gianyar, you are
going to discern the local artists of rock
stone sculpturing displaying various effigies.
Those effigies are intentionally made just
for decoration and souvenir for tourists,
so its making process does not require any
special ritual procession. You could also
purchase them at affordable prices and if
necessary, you can bargain to get a good
price in order you get the goods fitting
your financial budget. However, please be
noted that you’d better not place
those effigies at any place at your home.
If those effigies have religious philosophy
of Hindu, it would be advisable for you
to put them on respected places available
at your home. If you put them on the wrong
place, they may disturb your daily life.
Ultimately, we hope you that can make your
holiday on this Island of A Million Effigies
(Bali) a memorable one!Ketut Sumadi
|
