A Legend From Island of “Paradise” Bali

Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Daha lived a Brahmin named Sidi Mantra who had a very famous miracle. “Sanghyang Widya” Guru rewarded him property and a beautiful wife. After years of marriage, they had a child named Manik Angkeran.

Although Manik Angkeran was a clever and handsome young man, but he had a bad habit . He like gambling . He often lost, so he had risked his parents' wealth, even in debt to others. Unable to pay the debts, Manik Angkeran asked his father to do something in order to get the wealth. His father then fasted and prayed for help of the gods. Suddenly he heard a voice, "Hi, Sidi Mantra, in the crater of Mount Agung there is a treasure of a dragon which guarded the Dragon named Besukih. Go there and ask for him to give you a little treasure."

Then Sidi Mantra went to Mount Agung. He overcomed all obstacles. Arriving at the crater’s edge of Mount Agung, he sat cross-legged. He rang the bell while he read the spell and summon the dragon Besukih. Not long later; then the dragon came out. After hearing Sidi Mantra’s wish, Dragon Besukih squirmed and from his scales he sprayed out some gold and diamonds. After thanking the dragon , Sidi Mantra went home . He gave the treasure to Manik Angkeran, while he hoped that his son would not gamble again. But unfortunately, the treasure was gone again for a bet. Once again Manik Angkeran asked his father for assistance. However, Sidi Mantra was angry and refused to help his son..

Manik Angkeran heard from friends that the property was obtained from Mount Agung. He knew to get there but he didn’t know to she cast a spell but he never learned about the prayer . So, he just brought a bell that was stolen from his father when his father slept.

On the crater of Mount Agung, Manik Angkeran rang the bell . The Dragon heard Manik Angkeran’s intent, then he said, "I will give property you wish for, but you must promise to change your bad ways. Do not gamble again. Remember the law of karma !"

Manik Angkeran fascinated by gold, diamonds, and jewels in front of him. Suddenly there was malicious intent that arises in his heart. Wanting to get more treasure, he cut the dragon’s tail when Dragon Besukih went back to his nest. Manik Angkeran ran away immediately and was not overtaken by the Dragon. But due to the miracle of the Dragon, Manik Angkeran had been burned into ashes when the dragon licked his tracks.

Sidi Mantra heard about the death of his son. Soon he visited the Dragon Besukih and begged him to bring back his son to life. The Dragon agreed by condition if his original tail could return to normal. With a miracle, Sidi Mantra can restore the Dragon tail.

At home Manik Angkeran apologized and promised to be a good person. But when Sidi Mantra knew that his son had repented his bad habit, he was very angry.

"You have to start a new life but not here," he said. Suddenly his son disappeared . Where Manik Angkeran stood , a water source arose increasingly large that became a new sea. With his stick, Sidi Mantra had drawn a line that separated him with his son. Now the place became a strait that separates the island of Java and Bali .

Have a Nice Vacation in Island of “Paradise” Bali!
(D.S. Utomo)