Rerajahan soul of the keris

Pusaka · 6th March 2019, 03:03 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOoo1uRZ5tM

Earlier it was asked if the use of Rerajahan in keris construction had survived in Muslim parts. From the text below it looks like it is a possibility, at least the word has survived in non Hindu parts but what it represents there we can only know by comparison.

"What are the conditions if there are young people who want to become masters like you?

There are two manuscripts that become references. First , Kepandean Dharma texts made in the era of the Kingdom of Kediri, Singasari, and Majapahit. Secondly the Rerajahan Keris text which explains the requirements to become a master or cleric."

https://lifestyle.bisnis.com/read/20...ngan-sang-empu

Secondly I searched to see if I could find an example of a Rerajahan being scribed into the metal of a keris. In the video (6:15) you can see a Balinese Pande using the special scribe I spoke of earlier to trace what appears to be the AUM mantra onto the metal. Not sure if this would be classed as a Rerajahan but you get the idea. Similar stylus are used by pedanda/pemangku to scribe aksare on strips of metal during the construction of jimat.

A. G. Maisey · 6th March 2019, 07:47 PM

Thanks for putting up those links Darren, interesting.

Was there something in particular that you wanted to draw out attention to in the Basuki Yuwono article? I read that one through, but I have not got time right now to look at the other articles before & after it.

I've looked at just the 6.15 cut of the pande inscribing the metal, I have not yet looked at the rest of this video --- again, time. I'll have a look later.

David · 6th March 2019, 08:43 PM

I watched the entire video. Very nice Pusaka, thank you for posting it. It may be one of the most detailed presentations i've seen in youtube videos on the process of making keris. It's a shame that i don't speak the language and could only understand certain key keris terms that were used throughout, but the visuals were informative.
I also noted the use of the metal scribe being used early in the process in that video. As i stated before, it is not at all surprising to me to see this. You asked me earlier if i was aware of the term "Rerajahan" before you brought up this topic. While the term was not completely familiar to me, the practice most certainly is. Similar processes are enacted in the creation of talismanic objects across all cultures. The letters, sigils and mantras might differ, but the application and desired result is basically the same. So while it is nice to see a video of a keris pande actually performing this aspect of empowering the material used in the early stages of keris creation it is not at all surprising to me. No one here has argued that this is not a part of the process.
It is also nice that you seem to have found the word "Rerajahan" in conjunction with keris being used in Jawa. My internet searches on that front came up empty. As you noted, i am not sure if it is understood in the same context in Islamic culture since in the interview his response was that one must know the "Rerajahan Keris text which explains the requirements to become a master or cleric.". Given the confusion of online translators it's hard to say exactly what their understanding of the term is, though i would be surprised to find Islamic empus using Vedic mantras and symbols in the making of keris. As you stated before, they may well have substituted passaged from the Quoran instead.
What i wonder now that you feel you have established that Rerajahan was and perhaps still is a part of the process for making a spiritual keris, where you would like to take this discussion? I seriously doubt we will be able to go into much detail on the specifics of the practice, nor, if we could that we even should. So what should we be learning here?

Pusaka · 6th March 2019, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Thanks for putting up those links Darren, interesting.

Was there something in particular that you wanted to draw out attention to in the Basuki Yuwono article? I read that one through, but I have not got time right now to look at the other articles before & after it.

I've looked at just the 6.15 cut of the pande inscribing the metal, I have not yet looked at the rest of this video --- again, time. I'll have a look later.

Just that it mentions a "Rerajahan Keris text" which is studied by keris makers in Jawa. I am wondering what that might be.

Pusaka · 6th March 2019, 09:33 PM

David,

I second that, one of the most interesting videos I have seen also, talk about a feast for the eyes!

My reason for starting this thread was twofold:

1 because no such thread discussing Rerajahan in the construction of keris existed prior to it and thought it would be good to change that.

2 and my main reason was I was hoping that some member/s of this forum would have some knowledge in this area maybe even share some examples of Rerajahan used in keris making.

I dont feel I have succeeded in my objective, either:

1 There is not much knowledge on the subject here due to its specialist nature.

2 Maybe there is some knowledgeable but don't feel comfortable openly discussing it.

3 The topic doesn't resonate with them and therefore have no interest in it.

As for me it is these deeper esoteric aspects of the keris that I find most interesting. Actually it is the esoteric aspects of the keris I have spent most my time uncovering.

A. G. Maisey · 7th March 2019, 03:43 AM

Thanks for your response Darren.

In respect of this text "Rerajahan Keris".

What Basuki Yuwono says is this:-

" Terdapat dua manuskrip yang menjadi acuan.Pertama, naskah Dharma Kepandean yang dibuat pada era Kerajaan Kediri, Singasari, dan Majapahit.Kedua, naskah Rerajahan Keris yang menjelaskan persyaratan untuk menjadi empu atau penggandring."

the crux of the sentence is "---acuan. Pertama ---"

the meaning of the word "acuan" is "to pay close attention to the words of a teacher", so used in this sentence it is rather peculiar syntax. In free translation I understand what Basuki is saying as this:-

"There are two manuscripts that must be given close attention before anything else --------"

I emphasise "free translation", as to translate exactly as written it would sound extremely peculiar. I've matched my translation to translations of two native speakers, both give the same meaning but in different English words, in fact one of these native speakers did not even know the word "acuan" and had to look it up in a dictionary before the whole sentence became clear to her.

Basuki then mentions his two manuscripts.

I've never heard of either of these manuscripts.

Dharma Kepandean I could find with a web search as a little primer published in Bali, it claims to be a translation from a lontar held in a Balinese collection. I can find no academic reference to this lontar.

The Rejahan Keris manuscript I can only find in reference to Basuki himself. I have no idea where the original has come from.

I do not know the word "rerajahan" in a Javanese context.
I do know it in a Balinese context, but only in very recent times.
I know the root word "rajah", as a "tattoo, magical drawing, or palm lines", and its intensified form "rajahan" as a special sort of tattoo.

I have never heard the word "rerajahan" used in connection with keris during all the time I have spent in Jawa and Bali.

EDIT

I've just finished watching the video.

Nice production, nice to watch, but it does not give even the smallest inkling of what is involved in the making of a keris blade.

I read it as a promotion for Museum Neka --- which is certainly worth a visit, I like it very much, visit it every time I'm in Bali, and I'll be there again in a few weeks.

A. G. Maisey · 7th March 2019, 04:41 AM

Darren, this has been a pretty decent sort of a thread, its really nice that you started it, and we've had the opportunity to talk about a few things that seldom get a mention, but I'd like to go back to your post # 7 where in the quote from the book we read this:-

"--- In the very Center of the keris, buried in the layers of
metal, was a strip of paper* on which a charm was written in Sanskrit
letters.---"

You have commented:-

"*The author is mistaken here the Rerajahan is not drawn on paper for obvious reasons instead it is scribed on the metal with a stylus"

In fact, the speaker would have found a piece of paper, and there would have been writing on the paper, which might very well have been a charm.

You see, as keris blades become old, those that were not very well made in the first place begin to delaminate. Sometimes the owner will write something on a piece of paper and tuck it down into the delaminated section of the keris.

What is written might be a genuine charm, or it might be something that pretends to be a charm, keris dealers with somewhat less than the desirable level of integrity will sometimes prepare rotten old unsaleable keris for sale by inserting little half hidden pieces of paper with something written in hanacaraka script into a delamination in the blade. This is no secret, it is well known market place trickery in the Javanese keris trade.

There is no tradition of which I know, nor that my teachers knew, nor that is contained in the primary Surakarta Empus Text-book, that calls for the inscription of magical drawings into any part of the metal used to produce a keris blade. My training has all been Javanese, it may be different in Bali, I do not know because I have never had instruction from a Balinese pande.

The thing that we see in the video where the pande is scratching something onto the metal very probably is "aum". A Hindu will usually invoke the assistance of Ganesha at the beginning of any new undertaking. Nothing strange, hidden, or unusual in this.

Why has the subject of "rerajahan" never come up in our keris discussions?

Well, I guess it is because of a couple of reasons, one of which is the word itself, which appears to be a pretty recent addition to the Balinese lexicon. The old word is "rajah" or "rajahan", and it is such a common thing in everyday Balinese life that it really would not rate a mention in discussion specifically about keris. In discussion of Balinese esoteric practices it might get a few mentions. But even then, I'm not so sure that the "rerajahan" form would be found in old sources.

Perhaps the other reason might be that the whole concept of "keris magic" is so little understood that those who do have some comprehension of this also have sufficient understanding to withhold discussion of these matters in public --- if at all.

Pusaka · 7th March 2019, 02:42 PM

Alan, Thanks for the info about the de-laminated keris with paper inside. I myself have seen many keris for sale including shady talismanic keris but have never seen what you describe.

You mention lontar text, I do know that the images used to construct jimat are taking directly out of lontar text.

For now I guess the way forward is to locate those two text spoken of and perhaps get talking with Balinese pande and ask them directly.

EDIT:

"Some of the ancient lontar texts included complex drawings along with corresponding Balinese calligraphy that are used by balians to create amulets called jimats. Jimats are created for a variety of uses, healing is one usage. In constructing a jimat, the balian redraws the illustration, first asking permission to engage in this activity, then proceeding with focused intention upon the sick recipient.

A Balinese sacred healing image
The illustration is usually drawn upon paper, although some are executed on white material or metal, depending upon the usage. Next, additional aksare are etched with a sacred tool onto a small piece of gold, silver, copper and bark of an indigenous Balinese tree. The balian folds the drawing in half, shaves incense into the crease then continues folding adding incense shavings with each fold until a small square approximately 1-1/2" is reached. The metals and wood are placed on top of the drawing with shaved incense in between each layer. The entire piece is slipped into a sheave of white cloth, then secured on all sides with threads."

http://www.drgrotte.com/BalineseMedicine.shtml

7th March 2019, 03:43 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	The Video Thanks for your response Darren. In respect of this text "Rerajahan Keris". What Basuki Yuwono says is this:- " Terdapat dua manuskrip yang menjadi acuan.Pertama, naskah Dharma Kepandean yang dibuat pada era Kerajaan Kediri, Singasari, dan Majapahit.Kedua, naskah Rerajahan Keris yang menjelaskan persyaratan untuk menjadi empu atau penggandring." the crux of the sentence is "---acuan. Pertama ---" the meaning of the word "acuan" is "to pay close attention to the words of a teacher", so used in this sentence it is rather peculiar syntax. In free translation I understand what Basuki is saying as this:- "There are two manuscripts that must be given close attention before anything else --------" I emphasise "free translation", as to translate exactly as written it would sound extremely peculiar. I've matched my translation to translations of two native speakers, both give the same meaning but in different English words, in fact one of these native speakers did not even know the word "acuan" and had to look it up in a dictionary before the whole sentence became clear to her. Basuki then mentions his two manuscripts. I've never heard of either of these manuscripts. Dharma Kepandean I could find with a web search as a little primer published in Bali, it claims to be a translation from a lontar held in a Balinese collection. I can find no academic reference to this lontar. The Rejahan Keris manuscript I can only find in reference to Basuki himself. I have no idea where the original has come from. I do not know the word "rerajahan" in a Javanese context. I do know it in a Balinese context, but only in very recent times. I know the root word "rajah", as a "tattoo, magical drawing, or palm lines", and its intensified form "rajahan" as a special sort of tattoo. I have never heard the word "rerajahan" used in connection with keris during all the time I have spent in Jawa and Bali. EDIT I've just finished watching the video. Nice production, nice to watch, but it does not give even the smallest inkling of what is involved in the making of a keris blade. I read it as a promotion for Museum Neka --- which is certainly worth a visit, I like it very much, visit it every time I'm in Bali, and I'll be there again in a few weeks. Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 7th March 2019 at 04:05 AM.

7th March 2019, 04:41 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Darren, this has been a pretty decent sort of a thread, its really nice that you started it, and we've had the opportunity to talk about a few things that seldom get a mention, but I'd like to go back to your post # 7 where in the quote from the book we read this:- "--- In the very Center of the keris, buried in the layers of metal, was a strip of paper* on which a charm was written in Sanskrit letters.---" You have commented:- "The author is mistaken here the Rerajahan is not drawn on paper for obvious reasons instead it is scribed on the metal with a stylus"* In fact, the speaker would have found a piece of paper, and there would have been writing on the paper, which might very well have been a charm. You see, as keris blades become old, those that were not very well made in the first place begin to delaminate. Sometimes the owner will write something on a piece of paper and tuck it down into the delaminated section of the keris. What is written might be a genuine charm, or it might be something that pretends to be a charm, keris dealers with somewhat less than the desirable level of integrity will sometimes prepare rotten old unsaleable keris for sale by inserting little half hidden pieces of paper with something written in hanacaraka script into a delamination in the blade. This is no secret, it is well known market place trickery in the Javanese keris trade. There is no tradition of which I know, nor that my teachers knew, nor that is contained in the primary Surakarta Empus Text-book, that calls for the inscription of magical drawings into any part of the metal used to produce a keris blade. My training has all been Javanese, it may be different in Bali, I do not know because I have never had instruction from a Balinese pande. The thing that we see in the video where the pande is scratching something onto the metal very probably is "aum". A Hindu will usually invoke the assistance of Ganesha at the beginning of any new undertaking. Nothing strange, hidden, or unusual in this. Why has the subject of "rerajahan" never come up in our keris discussions? Well, I guess it is because of a couple of reasons, one of which is the word itself, which appears to be a pretty recent addition to the Balinese lexicon. The old word is "rajah" or "rajahan", and it is such a common thing in everyday Balinese life that it really would not rate a mention in discussion specifically about keris. In discussion of Balinese esoteric practices it might get a few mentions. But even then, I'm not so sure that the "rerajahan" form would be found in old sources. Perhaps the other reason might be that the whole concept of "keris magic" is so little understood that those who do have some comprehension of this also have sufficient understanding to withhold discussion of these matters in public --- if at all. Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 7th March 2019 at 07:36 AM. Reason: spelling

6th March 2019, 03:03 PM	#1
Pusaka Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 341	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOoo1uRZ5tM Earlier it was asked if the use of Rerajahan in keris construction had survived in Muslim parts. From the text below it looks like it is a possibility, at least the word has survived in non Hindu parts but what it represents there we can only know by comparison. "What are the conditions if there are young people who want to become masters like you? There are two manuscripts that become references. First , Kepandean Dharma texts made in the era of the Kingdom of Kediri, Singasari, and Majapahit. Secondly the Rerajahan Keris text which explains the requirements to become a master or cleric." https://lifestyle.bisnis.com/read/20...ngan-sang-empu Secondly I searched to see if I could find an example of a Rerajahan being scribed into the metal of a keris. In the video (6:15) you can see a Balinese Pande using the special scribe I spoke of earlier to trace what appears to be the AUM mantra onto the metal. Not sure if this would be classed as a Rerajahan but you get the idea. Similar stylus are used by pedanda/pemangku to scribe aksare on strips of metal during the construction of jimat.

6th March 2019, 07:47 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Thanks for putting up those links Darren, interesting. Was there something in particular that you wanted to draw out attention to in the Basuki Yuwono article? I read that one through, but I have not got time right now to look at the other articles before & after it. I've looked at just the 6.15 cut of the pande inscribing the metal, I have not yet looked at the rest of this video --- again, time. I'll have a look later.

6th March 2019, 08:43 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	I watched the entire video. Very nice Pusaka, thank you for posting it. It may be one of the most detailed presentations i've seen in youtube videos on the process of making keris. It's a shame that i don't speak the language and could only understand certain key keris terms that were used throughout, but the visuals were informative. I also noted the use of the metal scribe being used early in the process in that video. As i stated before, it is not at all surprising to me to see this. You asked me earlier if i was aware of the term "Rerajahan" before you brought up this topic. While the term was not completely familiar to me, the practice most certainly is. Similar processes are enacted in the creation of talismanic objects across all cultures. The letters, sigils and mantras might differ, but the application and desired result is basically the same. So while it is nice to see a video of a keris pande actually performing this aspect of empowering the material used in the early stages of keris creation it is not at all surprising to me. No one here has argued that this is not a part of the process. It is also nice that you seem to have found the word "Rerajahan" in conjunction with keris being used in Jawa. My internet searches on that front came up empty. As you noted, i am not sure if it is understood in the same context in Islamic culture since in the interview his response was that one must know the "Rerajahan Keris text which explains the requirements to become a master or cleric.". Given the confusion of online translators it's hard to say exactly what their understanding of the term is, though i would be surprised to find Islamic empus using Vedic mantras and symbols in the making of keris. As you stated before, they may well have substituted passaged from the Quoran instead. What i wonder now that you feel you have established that Rerajahan was and perhaps still is a part of the process for making a spiritual keris, where you would like to take this discussion? I seriously doubt we will be able to go into much detail on the specifics of the practice, nor, if we could that we even should. So what should we be learning here?

6th March 2019, 09:33 PM	#5
Pusaka Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 341	David, I second that, one of the most interesting videos I have seen also, talk about a feast for the eyes! My reason for starting this thread was twofold: 1 because no such thread discussing Rerajahan in the construction of keris existed prior to it and thought it would be good to change that. 2 and my main reason was I was hoping that some member/s of this forum would have some knowledge in this area maybe even share some examples of Rerajahan used in keris making. I dont feel I have succeeded in my objective, either: 1 There is not much knowledge on the subject here due to its specialist nature. 2 Maybe there is some knowledgeable but don't feel comfortable openly discussing it. 3 The topic doesn't resonate with them and therefore have no interest in it. As for me it is these deeper esoteric aspects of the keris that I find most interesting. Actually it is the esoteric aspects of the keris I have spent most my time uncovering.

7th March 2019, 02:42 PM	#8
Pusaka Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 341	Alan, Thanks for the info about the de-laminated keris with paper inside. I myself have seen many keris for sale including shady talismanic keris but have never seen what you describe. You mention lontar text, I do know that the images used to construct jimat are taking directly out of lontar text. For now I guess the way forward is to locate those two text spoken of and perhaps get talking with Balinese pande and ask them directly. EDIT: "Some of the ancient lontar texts included complex drawings along with corresponding Balinese calligraphy that are used by balians to create amulets called jimats. Jimats are created for a variety of uses, healing is one usage. In constructing a jimat, the balian redraws the illustration, first asking permission to engage in this activity, then proceeding with focused intention upon the sick recipient. A Balinese sacred healing image The illustration is usually drawn upon paper, although some are executed on white material or metal, depending upon the usage. Next, additional aksare are etched with a sacred tool onto a small piece of gold, silver, copper and bark of an indigenous Balinese tree. The balian folds the drawing in half, shaves incense into the crease then continues folding adding incense shavings with each fold until a small square approximately 1-1/2" is reached. The metals and wood are placed on top of the drawing with shaved incense in between each layer. The entire piece is slipped into a sheave of white cloth, then secured on all sides with threads." http://www.drgrotte.com/BalineseMedicine.shtml