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Dewi
Sri
The Goddess of Rice
 It
is true that Hindu followers believe in
many Dewa (Gods). The word "Dewa"
(God) is etymologically derived from the
Sanskrit root-word "div", meaning
a ray. Thus DEWA can denote a pure ray of
light from God, to direct the world and
all its creatures. This God is referred
to as Dewa Wisnu.
In performing his role, Wisnu has a kind
of magic power (kekuatan/sakti), which Hindus
often refer to as the counterpart, or spouse
of the particular Dewa in question. In this
sense, the gods just like the rest of human
kind have their special counterparts or
spouses. In this case of Dewa Wisnu, this
auspicious partner is known as the Goddess
Sri (Dewi Sri).
Hindus worship Dewi Sri as the goddess of
prosperity and wellbeing. In Bali Dewi Sri
thus often appears under the symbol of padi
(rice-plants), for rice is the people’s
source of life.
After all, this is quite comprehensible
since the staple food for the Balinese is
rice, which is derived from the all-important
cultivation of the rice-plants.
This, of course, is in contra-distinction
to people of the West who have bread as
their staple food. And so it does not seem
strange if the people of Bali will feel
hungry, if they have not had their rice;
even if they have already eaten some bits
of bread.
In accordance with the Hindu tradition of
living in harmony with nature, also Dewi
Sri directs human kind so as not to live
in opposition to the forces and bounteousness
nature.
Rice-farmers in Bali are entirely convinced
that if the harvest should fail –
this will be due to the interference of
the goddess Dewi Sri, who may have been
angered by man’s ingenuity in working
the fields according to this own caprise.
It has been said that prior to the time
that modern technology took over, the fields
were always in very good condition. Dewi
Sri is always greatly concerned with man’s
welfare. And even after all those advances
of modern technology, the rice-farmers of
Bali still have great confidence in the
bounteous blessings bestowed by the goddess
Dewi Sri.
This unfailing confidence is evidenced in
the special worship given to Dewi Sri from
the time of plantings even till the fruits
of the fields have been consumed in the
respective homes.
The special ceremony in honor of Dewi Sri
when the rice is still in the fields is
usually referred to as biu kukung or ngusaba,
although there may be other terms in conformance
with special local conditions.
In general, Bali Hindus will refer to the
special day of worship for Dewi Sri as Rerahinan
Bhatari Sri. In the current year the Friday
of Umanis Menail (Sukra Umanis Menail in
the Balinese calendar).
On this day all Hindus will bring offerings
(banten saji-sajian) at the places of the
goddess Dewi Sri, such as the lumbung (the
Balinese rice-granary), or pulu (earthenware
jugs for preserving rice), or sawah-sawah
(the rice-fields) and other places associated
with rice-plants.
The ceremonies in honour of Bhatari Sri
are also of three distinct levels: the small
cheap type referred to as nista, madya for
the moderate class, and utama for the solemn
and expensive type.
The last category, which can often be rather
solemn and even extravagant, is commonly
known as mantenin. In this case the rice-barn
is ornately decorated with young coconut-palm
leaves, and with cloths of various colours.
An essential component of these decorations
will always be a likeness of Dewi Sri made
from rice-plants.
This symbolic figure can be very captivating,
as it seems to depict the goddess Dewi Sri
herself in true or living form. Aside from
the above dedications, all the agricultural
implements are also the subjects of some
special religious offerings.
It is also usual at this time that the farmers
free themselves from actual work in the
fields, in order to devote themselves completely
to the worship-exigencies of Dewi Sri. At
this time the rice-farmers may also relish
the special foods that have been prepared,
as they enjoy their leisure; and they will
try to forget those more tragic events of
the past six-months of arduous work in the
fields.
The rice-fields farmers will also take some
time for prayer before the replica of Dewi
Sri, asking for further blessing so that
all their endeavors will bear an abundant
harvest. And there will also be some expressions
of profound gratitude for the blessing already
received.
Aside from all that has been said above
in accordance to Hindu mythology, it is
said that Dewi Sri remains ever fond of
the "Sunari", a huge wind blown
flute on a pole. This Sunari is made from
a stick of bamboo with special holes; and
this sound can even prove to be quite infatuating.
Usually, the Sunari is stuck in the ground
at the head or upper-end of the rice-field.
Beneath it, a small provisional hut is erected
(Kubu). For those who guard the rice-fields,
the voice of Sunari is always something
consoling, and it can give rise to multiple
sentiments that are aesthetic in nature.
Hearing the sound of Sunari, Dewi Sri also
feels herself comforted, and She will feel
herself compelled to bestow her continued
blessings. In this way the rice-fields are
also rendered fertile, towards yielding
ever more abundant harvests.
Apparently, the sounds of Sunari, bear a
significant influence for the desired productivity
of the rice-seedlings in the fields. It
is said that some Westerners have already
conducted special research in this field,
concerning the role of such peculiar sound-influences.
They have found out that harsh sounds can
hurt or even kill certain plants.
On the other hand, soft sounds can accelerate
plant-growth. Thus, it would seem to appear
that the ancestors of Hinduism already utilized
certain elements of modernity in their agricultural
aggrandizements of so many years ago.
Undoubtedly Dewi Sri continues to heed the
voices of Sunari, as it solicitously ushers
in another era of prosperity for all of
mankind. (BTN/doc)
"Sarad"
The Balinese Rice Cakes
 The
offerings for "odalan" (temple
ceremony) are decorated with rice cakes
that are normally not for sale in the market.
So people have to make these cakes at home.
There are some cakes among those which are
eaten after the prayer, while the rest are
thrown away because they are already spoilt
by, for example, the rain. One of these
decorations is called sarad. It is made
of rice-flour.
How
to make it
Steam the rice-flour for 15 minutes and
knead it with some cold water until it is
sticky. This stuff is called batah. Roll
it with the palm of your hand when it is
still lukewarm, until you get something
like spaghetti. Smear your palm with coconut-oil
to roll it on a flat surface. With this
spaghetti you can form the mask of a barong,
demon or whatever you like. If you want
some colours, use the food coloring agent
that is called muruh. Sometimes they mix
the batah with some palm-sugar dissolved
in hot water. They can be fried and eaten
if it is still in good condition when you
are drinking a cup of coffee. (BTN/doc)
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