Bali Hilt ID

[David]

It would be nice to find a related image for all 32 aspect names.

[Rick]

G.I.S. Ganesha ???

[Anandalal N.]

I am of course referring to Raksha in general. I have little knowledge of the Raksha on keris hilts.

Here is one aspect of Ganapathi Dyanam from the RUPAMALA - a 11-12 century silpasastra or instruction for workmen/artisans originating from Sri Lanka.

The Dhyana of the Three eyed Ganesha

I bow to the Vigna Rajah, distinguished by an elephant face, with sharp tusks, three eyes, a big belly, having the features of a Bhuta, adored by men and gods, of a red colour, a king of gods, son of Isvara.

Gaja vadana vicitram tikshna dantam trinetram
Brahadudaramasesham bhuta rupam puranam
Amara nara supujyam rakta varnam suresam
Pasupati sutamisam vighna rajam namami

Note the reference to bhuta rupam i.e. the appearance of a Bhuta. Refers back to the earlier discussion of 2006 on this forum where Bhuta Nawasari as a Rakshasa king had ben discussed.

[A. G. Maisey]

This is all very edifying, however, here we are talking about Bali.

On Bali the Hindu faith is practiced as "Bali Hindu". It is not mainstream, and I believe that most Brahmin priests from the mainstream would find considerable difference between their interpretation of the faith, and the form practiced in Bali.

In short, in my opinion it is a severe error to try to explain Balinese forms and practices in terms that relate to mainstream Hindu faith.

Most especially in the case of forms, these forms are uniquely Balinese.

As I remarked earlier:- the people who carve these images, particularly the small folk images, such as keris hilts, are not Brahmin priests. They are working cratfmen trying to earn a living. They carve what they hope will sell. Even in the case of a master carver who may have been commissioned to carve an image for a specific client, that master will use an existing pattern and possibly put his own spin on it, but it is extremely unlikely that he will know exactly what the religious import of the carving is.

As for the ogre hilt form.

The word "raksasa" is both Indonesian and Javanese for a giant, mythical ogre.

The female form is "raksasi".

Both these words are generics and refer to a type of being, not a specific being.

There are many variations of form in these ogre hilts, and most especially with the more recent ones, I personally find it virtually impossible to identify any specific character.

[Anandalal N.]

Dear Maisey,

Couldn't agree more.

However, the forum may be a good place to at least broadly outline the forms if only to be able discuss them. The published material is confusing with the experts contradicting each other. BY the way on my visit to KL about six months ago the KL Musuem had a large format book on keris written in Malay. Did not get it since it is not my main line and I was not a forum member then. I did visit the National Musuem, the Musuem of Islamic Art and the University Musuem hoping to see a good representative collection of krisses but was usuccessful.

My understanding on Bali is basic. My main liking for the keris lies in its magico spiritual aspects more than utility and aesthetics and the occassional connection to Sri Lanka.

Regards.

Anan.