Keeping a keris for protection

[David]

Originally Posted by Pusaka

Also its questionable as to whether a keris was made for one person or not. That is why some would prefer a new keris rather than an old one

Is it? Surely a specific keris is initially designed with a single person in mind, but the idea that it will then be passed on down through the family as a direct line of power and a means of accessing that family's power and history seems implicit to the keris and it's cultural application.
Seems a strange statement from a guy who calls himself Pusaka.
There may indeed be similarities with the way jimat is imbued with sakti, but i think that it in the nature of the way this particular type of magick works. Certain many keris were made solely as talismans, but then keris have always had many other positions to fill in Indonesian life. I am not saying that some may not have functioned as a type of jimat in some cases, but to say that is what a keris is seems a bit off the mark to me.

[PenangsangII]

The isi of a keris is transferable to the next owner, provided we treat the isi in the same manner that the original owner/s did. Further, when we buy a keris, we have the so called akad or solemn, and its not exactly buying a keris, but rather marrying to a keris by offering "mahar" or "mas kawin".

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by PenangsangII

The isi of a keris is transferable to the next owner, provided we treat the isi in the same manner that the original owner/s did. Further, when we buy a keris, we have the so called akad or solemn, and its not exactly buying a keris, but rather marrying to a keris by offering "mahar" or "mas kawin".

I've heard that not all keris 'isi' is transferable to the next owner. For example, the pusaka class, 'isi' would only serve the blood line of the initial owner or family.

[David]

Originally Posted by Alam Shah

I've heard that not all keris 'isi' is transferable to the next owner. For example, the pusaka class, 'isi' would only serve the blood line of the initial owner or family.

For the most part i agree with you Shahrial. Certainly if i were to buy a true pusaka item that was in one family for generations i would never consider that keris to now be my pusaka, or believe that i could then pass that keris onto my son an maintain any kind of unbroken chain of power from the original family ownership. However, while i do believe that "blood may be thicker than water", i think perhaps intention may be at least as thick as blood. I can envision a scenario where a keris might be passed on to someone who is not actually a part of the original owners bloodline. Perhaps an adopted son or someone who has become like a son to the keris holder and/or his family. If it is given in this spirit and accepted with these understandings i believe it may be possible to maintain an unbroken chain of power in the keris.

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by David

... I can envision a scenario where a keris might be passed on to someone who is not actually a part of the original owners bloodline. Perhaps an adopted son or someone who has become like a son to the keris holder and/or his family. If it is given in this spirit and accepted with these understandings i believe it may be possible to maintain an unbroken chain of power in the keris.

Perhaps. Should the original bloodline pass it on to someone else as mentioned, normally there would be a ceremony, for the 'transfer of ownership' with the name of the 'guardian' / 'isi', be made known... together with the accompanying rituals, based on what I understand.

[Pusaka]

Originally Posted by Alam Shah

Perhaps. Should the original bloodline pass it on to someone else as mentioned, normally there would be a ceremony, for the 'transfer of ownership' with the name of the 'guardian' / 'isi', be made known... together with the accompanying rituals, based on what I understand.

Originally Posted by semar

the power will cal in the keris with a mantra but this kind of power will not stay for a longer time so you hef to repeat the ritual for keeping the power in to the keris

True, if it is a real keris (one with power) then you cant keep any isi alive without repeating the mantra/ name. To know the name of a keris is to access its power. The name is only known to the owner/ maybe the family also? If you buy a real keris how will you find out its name?

[David]

Originally Posted by Pusaka

True, if it is a real keris (one with power) then you cant keep any isi alive without repeating the mantra/ name. To know the name of a keris is to access its power. The name is only known to the owner/ maybe the family also? If you buy a real keris how will you find out its name?

Ask it.

[PenangsangII]

Originally Posted by Alam Shah

Perhaps. Should the original bloodline pass it on to someone else as mentioned, normally there would be a ceremony, for the 'transfer of ownership' with the name of the 'guardian' / 'isi', be made known... together with the accompanying rituals, based on what I understand.

Yes blood is thicker than water.....but not necessarily having the bloodline will entitle you to own a pusaka....normally the "isi" knows who can maintain the keris....and the person could be a total stranger.

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by PenangsangII

Yes blood is thicker than water.....but not necessarily having the bloodline will entitle you to own a pusaka....normally the "isi" knows who can maintain the keris....and the person could be a total stranger.

I agree... a stranger but not a nobody.