Old Sundanese Metals
(a new thread)

It's been two weeks since my last thread about Kawih Katanian. I had to do several things during WFH period until now, also for the preparation of Ied Al-Fitr day. Now I will talk about the metal element mentioned in the old Sundanese texts.

I have to notice that there is no specific old Sundanese text that talking about the metal element as the main topic. I've collected the information about this matter from several manuscripts with various contents dated from about 15-17th century.

At that period the Sundanese people have used and maintained the metals, both as physical tools and metaphors. I found that the metal tools are mentioned as weapons, tools, building structures and its ornaments, house holds, writing tools and writing pad.

The metal elements mentioned in the old Sundanese text are gold (omas), silver (salaka, kanaka, pirak), iron (wesi, beusi), steel (waja, cundiga), copper (tambaga), tin (timah), and bronze (gangsa).

The gold and silver were considered as precious metal, and they commonly used as jewels. Both also used as metaphor for a pure and noble soul, therefore, if they mixed with other metal elements, then their purity will be lost.

The Sang Hyang Siksa Kandang Karesian mentioned that the gold is a symbol of honesty of speech, while the silver is the image of human kindness. It is said:
"mas ma ngaranya sabda tuhu tepet byakta panca aksara, pirak ma ngaranya ambek kreta yogya rahayu."

The gold also considered as a form of obedience to the Sang Hyang Siksa (the sacred teaching). It is said that if the gold always be polished and maintained (dilanja), then the appearance will sparkle (pelek rupanya).

And so is human, if their soul always be treated and taken care of by the teachings of truth, then they will find the enlightenment and true tranquility of the soul. That's what the Sang Hyang Siksa Kandang Karesian said.

The use of metal for the building structure can be found in Sewaka Darma (or Kawih Panyaraman) and Sri Ajnyana. First is silver, used as the main material for the place of Batara Isora (Isvara) at the eastward. The place is called as "Kahyangan Pirak Putih".

There is a rather detailed information about the ornaments from Sewaka Darma: the poles are carved silver, the roof is of China silver and of Malaka silver, while the walls are made of Keling silver.

Do you have any thought about China silver, Malaka silver, and Keling silver?

This building was also seen by (the soul of) Sri Ajnyana, when he left from the "Kadaton Pancamirah" (the Palace of Precious Gems) in the kahyangan (heaven).

He said: "when I left it, there were several heavenly places, I saw at the east, its roof poles of silver, ornamented by China silver, decorated by Keling iron, the bed of Keling silver, ornamented with light gold, the house with perforated decoration.

I think it's enough for today. Don't worry, this topic is still long way to go. I will continue it for several next days. :)

See you!