THE
LEGEND OF THE DEWADARU TREE
The
Dewadaru tree is mostly found to the north of the island of Java, among the Sunda islands of Karimunjava, in the Java Sea, It has the human population of approximately 20,000 people.
The
The Dewadaru tree had been sanctified by the local inhabitants of the
Island for countless generations as a result of a myth perpetuated by the elders of the society. In one of the local dialects, "Daru" means "blessing from heaven," while "Dewa,
[Derived from Sanskrit] is the Indonesian term for "god."
"Dewadaru" is thus interpreted as the "gift of the
Gods," implying that this tree genus is a tangible symbolic gift
From the gods/ asses to the islanders.
To
The local
Inhabitants,
The Dewadaru represents the wisdom of the gods in maintaining the
Harmony , stability, and peacefulness of Nature. The Dewadaru is
Believed to be the protective guardian of the living souls on the
Karimunjava islands.
According
In the legend, there was once a man living on the island of Java whom
was furious with his son for constant disobedience. The man, although
He loved his son dearly, strove to inculcate in him a certain hard
Lesson. So one day he drove his son away from home with the warning
That he was not to set foot on Java again.
Not
Willing to disobey his father again, he prepared himself for the
Journey. In sadness, the son left Mt. Muria where they dwelt and
Moved on to the open seas to the north. He sailed on a boat for many
Days through stormy weather and amidst huge waves, not knowing his
Destination and perhaps with little will to survive. Then one day,
His boat landed on the shores of a small, uninhabited island.
Meanwhile,
From the peak of Mt Muria in Java, the boy's father was secretly
Watching over his son clairvoyantly. But for some reason his vision
was vague and unclear, and thus lost track of the whereabouts of the
boy on that island. In the old Javanese language, the word"
Vague" is translated as Kerimun. Thus the island became known as
"Karimun-Java."
The
boy continued his journey to the island, bearing two wooden staffs as
Walking sticks to assist him on this little island. He retrieved
These from the shore. These two short wood poles wounded him while
His boat was capsized onto the shore by the sheer power of the waves.
He
Continued his walk on the island, passed the shoreline into a forest
Until he was in the middle of it. He poked the two staffs to the
Ground and started to rest from the tiresome journey. Miraculously,
In that very instant the two staffs grew into magnificent trees. In
Awe of the incident , he named them "Dewadaru." To this day
The boy's resting place is in the Dewadaru Tree.
The
Origin of the Dewadaru tree at this particular site of pilgrimage has
a similar tale as the one of Karimunjava. Both were the result of the
Insertions of walking staffs into the grounds. According to the
Legends, Eyang Jugo once journeyed with a companion to his closet
Friend, R. M. Imam Soejono, who lived on Mt Kawi. Along the way he
Rested in a shady area. It was there that he received intuitively
From the spirit planes that his life was drawing to a close. He
Advised his travel companion that when he died, where he was to be
Buried. Further along the way Eyang Jugo suddenly stabbed the ground
With his staff and expired. The staffed filled with the power of
Eyang Jugo, suddenly grew into a tree. As the Chinese people saw too
Aryan Jugo's gravesite is the Dewadaru tree. "Shian Toho" -
Javanese "Dewadaru Tree".
The
Dewadaru is supposed to be found solely in the Karimunjava islands
Although almost unheard of, there is at least one Dewadaru tree to be
Found in Java in the area of Mt. Kawi in the region of Malang, East
Java. Strangely enough, those living in this area sanctify the leaves
Rather than the wood.
Mt.
The Kawi is well-known for its pilgrimage site for those seeking wealth.
The tree grows nearby a grave of someone who was known as Eyang Jugo,
a metaphysical practitioner of royal descent. It is said that those
Who sit underneath the Dewadaru tree and are fortunate enough to have
a leave or two to fall upon their heads of their own accord, this is
a sign of great financial blessing and wealth, to be bestowed upon
Them. it is not surprising to find people sitting or even spending
The night under these trees. Hoping to catch a leaf-fall.
Now
Days, although not too numerous, there is a substantial amount of
Dewadaru trees growing on the islands-the descendants of the very
First two. The remains of the original, fabulous Dewadaru tees may
Still be seen. The humps are there as if to substantiate the truth of
The legend. The descendants of the magical tress grow on hill-slopes
Of the islands and are not easily accessible..
In
Proximity to the once glorious trees is a grave that is until now
Still being sanctified by locals. On certain nights-such as Jumat
Kliwon of the Javanese calendar, the grave would be visited by
Pilgrims desiring the blessing of the spiritual adept to whom the
Grave belongs. The adept was known as Susan Nyamplungan from whence
The village received its name.
For
Centuries , the Dewadaru tree or wood from the tree, is believed by
The inhabitants of Karimunjava to possess magical powers. Tested
Through time, the wood is said to heal poisonous bites, and aches or
Illnesses in the abdominal region. Dewadaru wood is often carried as
An amulet for personal protection against evil persons as well as a
Weapon against evil spirits. It is said that unlike other types of
Wood, the Dewadaru, even a small piece of it, sinks when placed in
Water.
The
Dewadaru wood is often carried as an amulet. Those able to acquire a
Rosary fashioned from it for spiritual or devotional purposes is
Fortunate indeed, for it is very rare that anyone is given the
Permission to secure this wood from the islands and to tap into it
Inherent magical virtues.....
The Dewadaru tree is mostly found to the north of the island of Java, among the Sunda islands of Karimunjava, in the Java Sea, It has the Human population of approximately 20,000 people.
The
The Dewadaru tree had been sanctified by the local inhabitants of the
Island for countless generations as a result of a myth perpetuated by
The elders of the society. In one of the local dialects, "Daru"
Means "blessing from heaven," while "Dewa,"
[Derived from Sanskrit] is the Indonesian term for "god."
"Dewadaru" is thus interpreted as the "gift of the
Gods," implying that this tree genus is a tangible symbolic gift
From the gods/ asses to the islanders.
To
To the local inhabitants,
The Dewadaru represents the wisdom of the gods in maintaining the
Harmony , stability, and peacefulness of Nature. The Dewadaru is
Believed to be the protective guardian of the living souls on the
Karimunjava islands.
According
In the legend, there was once a man living on the island of Java whom
was furious with his son for constant disobedience. The man, although
He loved his son dearly, strove to inculcate in him a certain hard
Lesson. So one day he drove his son away from home with the warning
That he was not to set foot on Java again.
Not
Willing to disobey his father again, he prepared himself for the
Journey. In sadness, the son left Mt. Muria where they dwelt and
Moved on to the open seas to the north. He sailed on a boat for many
Days through stormy weather and amidst huge waves, not knowing his
Destination and perhaps with little will to survive. Then one day,
His boat landed on the shores of a small, uninhabited island.
