Dhapurs and their names
 

How does a dhapur get its name?

Relatedly, is there a relationship between the name of the dhapur and the kerises physical form, or with the tuah of the dhapur?

I suspect this might differ on a case-by-case basis, so I'll throw out some examples to get the ball rolling to see if anyone can offer a meaning or reason behind the given name.

1. Dhapur tilam upih (noun) - translated as "bed made of the leaf sheaths of the areca palm"
2. Pasupati (proper noun) - an incarnation of Shiva
3. Jangkung (adjective) - tall or langky person, or Robson also has another definition of "to guard from afar, watch from a distance/"

Do feel free to offer any others.

Hi Jagabuwana,

Interesting subject.

I’ll play with my limited knowledge.

Dhapur Karna Tinanding.

Karna Tinanding is an act in Mahabharata story depicting a duel between Karna and Arjuna.

Karna was born with golden earrings, hence his name which means ear.

Probably that’s why Dhapur Karna Tinanding has twin Kembang Kacang.

Brojol > lower on one side than on the other side.

Well --- it is, isn't it?

its a keris.

For me, the real question is who gives/gave a dhapur the name, the maker? the person for whom made? public opinion?

We'll never know I guess, but half a dozen dictionaries and a cold, wet winter might produce a lot of possible explanations of names.

That then opens up other possibilities:- noble explanations? what dialect? is the name found in Kawi?

This is a research project for somebody, maybe another degree in the results.

Then we have all the Little Red Herrings.

In Old Javanese we have "pasupata", & we also have "pasupati".

Pasupati is from the Sanskrit, & it means "lord of creatures" & the name actually refers to Rudra, who later developed into Siwa.

However, pasupata has a couple of meanings in Old Javanese, it can refer to a follower of Rudra/Siwa, & it was also the name (in Javanese) of the pashupatastra (astra means "weapon" so> "pashupat" weapon) that Siwa gave to Arjuna.

Now, this might be pretty inconvenient if one happens to be a philosopher, because it then causes one to consider the nature of the weapon that was in fact given to Arjuna, a weapon that probably Arjuna never used, perhaps because it was so powerful.

Cold, wet, winter.

Thank you JustYS and Alan for your thoughtful responses.

As usual I (gratefully) get more than I bargain for.