[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Anthony, in mainline Hindu belief the bull is the vehicle (vahana) of Shiva (Siwa), the name of that bull is Nandi.

The keris itself is symbolic of Siwa, as is the sogokan of the keris, which is actually a representation of the lingam standing in the blumbangan, a representation of the yoni.

However, I cannot recall ever having seen bull symbolism in a Balinese keris.

But it would fit with Hindu belief.

Nandi is the guardian of Mount Kailash = Mount Meru = Meru, the Meru in Bali is the shrine with its multi tiered roof, the keris has the nature of a shrine. Of course, when we start talking Mount Meru & etc, we are in fact talking in terms of the Gunungan, the universal symbol that permeates just about everything, in one way or another. The keris is a Gunungan representation.

Mount Kailash is the home of the Gods, including Siwa, and it is also the home of the ancestors who are waiting to become one with each of their personal Gods.

Nandi is the guardian.

Most candis, temples, shrines dedicated to Siwa have a statue of Nandi guarding that place. To my mind a bull guardian incorporated into the keris as the guardian of a shrine representing Siwa and the Gunungan, would be quite suitable.

When we begin to understand the true nature of the keris it can become very clear to us why the vast bulk of truly knowledgeable people involved with the keris become somewhat derisive when the folk beliefs that have arisen around the keris are presented as genuine knowledge.

Yes, the keris can be a magical entity, but that magic is nothing at all like what most people interested in the esoteric nature of the keris believe it to be.

Thanks for sharing