A conference building, named Graha Bung Karno and built during the administration of President Megawati on the grounds of the Tampaksiring Palace compound in Manukaya village, Tampaksiring district, Gianyar regency, Bali, Friday (21/4). The building’s design and interior was created by Kris Danubrata. Graha Bung Karno was built in six months by a team of 500 construction workers so it would be ready in time for the 2003 ASEAN Summit.
Crystal-clear water gushed from 30 ancient fountains of the Tirta Empul bathing pool, Manukaya village, Tampaksiring district, Gianyar regency, Bali, in the early hours of Friday (21/4/2017). The holy spring, which Balinese mythology says appeared after the god Bhatara Indra defeated the tyrant King Mayadenawa of Bedahulu (Gianyar), is popular among travelers.
The Tirta Empul bathing pool, a holy spring used in Balinese rituals, is well maintained. The bathing pool was constructed by King Candrabhaya Singha Warmadewa in October 962 AD, followed by the construction of Tirta Empul temple by King Masula Masuli, who ruled Bali between 1178 and 1255.
Visitors come to Tirta Empul to enjoy the cool waters of its bathing pool, and to bow their heads under the spray of the fountain in a ritual blessing.
Each fountain has a different name, such as Cetik (poison), Sudamala and Pengelukatan. The Balinese people believe the spring to be magical and that it brings prosperity.
Drunk with power
As the story goes, Cetik fountain and Tirta Empul are linked to the mythological battle between Bhatara Indra and King Mayadenawa of Bedahulu. The kingdom’s prosperity and power made King Mayadenawa drunk with power and he ruled ruthlessly. Fierce battles were waged and blood ran into the river, poisoning the people’s water supply.
Mayadenawa fled to the forest to the north of Bedahulu. To cover his tracks, the king walked on the edge of his soles. Thus, his footprints became known as Tampaksiring (tilted appearance).
Bhatara Indra chased and defeated Mayadenawa. The god then pierced the ground with his sacred weapon and, from the hole, a spring emerged to purify the local waters. This new spring was called Tirta Empul.
Udayana University faculty of letters professor I Nyoman Weda Kusuma explained that the tales of Mayadenawa, which are connected to several local places,are known as satwo, or legend. Weda said that the name Mayadenawa is composed of two words, “maya” (changing) and “danawa” (giant).
The name Mayadenawa, therefore, can mean a giant with an unstable temperament. In ancient Balinese epic poetry written on papyrus leaves, Weda said, Mayadenawa is represents evil, while Bhatara Indra symbolizes the forces of good.
“The message may be that when you have power, do not be arrogant. There is always someone better than you,” said Weda.
Bhatara Indra’s success in saving the people from the cruel Mayadenawa was marked not only by the emergence of the spring. The water from Tirta Empul flows into Pakerisan Hulu River and Petanu River. The holy spring irrigates gardens and rice fields. The resulting fertile soil brought prosperity to the people.
Until today, Balinese Hindus visit TirtaEmpul temple every year for rituals. On regular days, locals can access the temple through a 110-meter tunnel connecting WismaYudhistira, Wisma Negara and Wisma Merdeka of the Tampaksiring Presidential Palace compound.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri had ordered the construction of the tunnel so that local residents could visit the temple without having to obtain permission from the palace security.
Tampaksiring Presidential Palace management head I Dewa Gde Swarthana said in Tampaksiring on Thursday (20/4/2017), that the management always coordinated with local religious leaders to open the palace gates on religious holidays, including Galungan and Saraswati. On such days, thousands of Balinese Hindus walk hand-in-hand across the palace grounds towards the Tirta Empul temple, carrying offerings on their heads.
The myth of Mayadenawa that tells the origin of Tampaksiring and the demise of a tyrant king is sculpted in relief on the walls of Wisma Merdeka in the Tampaksiring Presidential Palace compound. The Mayadenawa story reminds us all of the ebb and flow of political life in Indonesia.
Balance
When a leader holds absolute power without being checked by a legislative body, the leader will become authoritarian. On the other hand, when legislature is too focused on matters that do not relate directly to development programs that boost the people’s welfare, political chaos will ensue.
The transfer of power in the Old Order and the New Order should serve as a lesson for contemporary and future Indonesian leaders. Democracy, which provides space for citizen’s inputs and criticism, is deemed the most appropriate system of government for Indonesia.
Based on this understanding, Airlangga University political scientist Haryadi said that a leader’s strong personal commitment to democratic values would become established. This would also determine whether or not a leader will fall into authoritarianism.
Another determining factor, Haryadi said, was the construction of a sturdy democratic system that supported a functional relationship between the leader and the people. Under such a system, leaders must always submit to the people’s will.
This requirement can be upheld by the rule of law and by limiting the leadership term. “Staying in power for far too long will make it easier for leaders to fall into the trap of authoritarianism,” he said.
One element of the democratic system is the division of leadership into executive, legislative and judicial positions. The limits to authority and the separation of the three branches of government must be clearly defined.
This way, the checks-and-balances mechanism between the branches of power will run properly. This solidity will simplify the planning and achievement of long-term, people-oriented development targets. This is especially relevant in the current administration’s massive infrastructure projects outside of Java.
No matter what the position and how small or lowly it may seem, a role in government is still a mandate from the people to improve their welfare. As in the tale of the authoritarian and tyrannical King Mayadenawa, power is fleeting. Untrustworthy leaders will only find their reign to be even shorter.
This should serve as a lesson for whoever holds power. Leaders who prioritize the people’s welfare above personal or group interests will produce real results that will be remembered for all time.
