Keris suitability according to Balinese belief/numerology

David · 10th February 2019, 02:31 AM

I have read Eiseman and have, of course, seen various methods of determining compatibility with a keris in numerous other books and pamphlets. I wonder how often the final determination works out the same when using different systems on the same keris and person?
These methods are definitely good keris lore, but they seem a bit arbitrary. And in what context does checking for this compatibility occur? Many keris are made specifically for their owners. Certainly when made to order they would be created to proper specifications. But if a keris was being past on to your as pusaka or gifted to you suppose one might want to check for suitability. Though it must be awkward to refuse your family pusaka because it doesn't measure correctly by your thumb.

A. G. Maisey · 10th February 2019, 04:26 AM

Believe!

jagabuwana · 10th February 2019, 05:04 AM

Rick - the actual measurement in inches or cm doesn't matter. You got 22. Seven goes into 22 three times, with a remainder of 1. Good for a warrior

David - it probably never ends up the same. As Alan said - believe. The inconsistencies likely have internally consistent explanations that insulate them from error.

As for the context under which this occurs, buying a keris off someone, being given a keris by someone or finding a keris seem appropriate. As for giving and receiving pusaka, this seems to be exempt. I don't know the convention or supernatural beliefs around this in Balinese culture, but in my own culture (Sundanese) you become the custodian by the good judgment of whoever gives it to you, and sometimes from "advice" given by your ancestors. In absence of that, if it was not meant for you or you mistreat it, it is believed that the objects can either disappear mysteriously, you become violently ill until the object is given to someone suitable (or returned, in the case of theft), or the "essence" or power of the object leaves its shell. I'm sure there are some standards and conventions around pusaka custodianship to which these tests of suitability do not apply.

Interestingly, Pemangku Ketut Mudra mentioned that while you can make kerises for specific people and imbue the keris with specific talismanic qualities, he thought that this was a wrong or improper thing to do, based on how wrong it could go, and how you could never guarantee how that person would yield the power.

10th February 2019, 05:04 AM	#3
jagabuwana Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 290	Rick - the actual measurement in inches or cm doesn't matter. You got 22. Seven goes into 22 three times, with a remainder of 1. Good for a warrior David - it probably never ends up the same. As Alan said - believe. The inconsistencies likely have internally consistent explanations that insulate them from error. As for the context under which this occurs, buying a keris off someone, being given a keris by someone or finding a keris seem appropriate. As for giving and receiving pusaka, this seems to be exempt. I don't know the convention or supernatural beliefs around this in Balinese culture, but in my own culture (Sundanese) you become the custodian by the good judgment of whoever gives it to you, and sometimes from "advice" given by your ancestors. In absence of that, if it was not meant for you or you mistreat it, it is believed that the objects can either disappear mysteriously, you become violently ill until the object is given to someone suitable (or returned, in the case of theft), or the "essence" or power of the object leaves its shell. I'm sure there are some standards and conventions around pusaka custodianship to which these tests of suitability do not apply. Interestingly, Pemangku Ketut Mudra mentioned that while you can make kerises for specific people and imbue the keris with specific talismanic qualities, he thought that this was a wrong or improper thing to do, based on how wrong it could go, and how you could never guarantee how that person would yield the power. Last edited by jagabuwana; 10th February 2019 at 05:35 AM.

10th February 2019, 02:31 AM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	I have read Eiseman and have, of course, seen various methods of determining compatibility with a keris in numerous other books and pamphlets. I wonder how often the final determination works out the same when using different systems on the same keris and person? These methods are definitely good keris lore, but they seem a bit arbitrary. And in what context does checking for this compatibility occur? Many keris are made specifically for their owners. Certainly when made to order they would be created to proper specifications. But if a keris was being past on to your as pusaka or gifted to you suppose one might want to check for suitability. Though it must be awkward to refuse your family pusaka because it doesn't measure correctly by your thumb.

10th February 2019, 04:26 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Believe!