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A. G. Maisey · 20th December 2015, 06:21 AM

It is probably not wise to attempt to understand the importance of Candi Sukuh by a direct reference to any of the great Hindu epics. Candi Sukuh is very special case and deserves careful attention in its own right, if we are to come to any understanding at all of the messages that are put forward in the Candi Sukuh reliefs.

The message that is contained in the stele that is under discussion here is very probably more relevant to the renewal of souls, and the connection in Javanese thought between the esoteric powers of the pande and the cycle of birth - death - re-birth.

There are several things that must never be forgotten when we set out to try to understand Sukuh.

Firstly, it was built on the outskirts of the Majapahit kingdom.

Secondly, it was built at a time when the Majapahit kingdom was already beginning to show the signs of its eventual implosion.

Thirdly, it was built in a location that in itself carries a very special significance, one that can only be understood by a person who has some understanding of the world view of the Javanese farmer, and the farmer's relationship to Mother Earth.

Fourthly, the artistic style employed in the Sukuh carvings is more closely related to Javanese indigenous art, than to the Javanese style of the Late Classical Period in Jawa.

The fifth thing that it is essential to understand, not only in respect of the Sukuh stele that began this discussion, but in respect of any attempt to understand any Javanese monumental or other message, is that what we may think we are seeing is not necessarily what the person who originated the message intended to be seen. All Javanese messages, particularly in respect of monumental messages must be approached as a riddle that may be able to be understood by somebody with the requisite level of knowledge. This "requisite knowledge" would embrace as a bare minimum the ability to interpret that which is seen in terms of the Candra Sangkala, this by itself is not sufficient, but it is a good fundamental beginning.

A good beginning to the study of Candi Sukuh is this article:-

http://cip.cornell.edu/DPubS?service...ndo/1107006615

Stanley O'Connor does not have all the answers by any means, but he does give us some insight into the problems that are faced by anybody attempting to understand the messages of Candi Sukuh.

I've said this more times than I can remember, but it is the one basic truth in the study of the keris:-

do not attempt to understand the keris by study of the keris: you will learn nothing at all that is worthwhile

if you wish to understand the keris you must study Javanese culture and society, from that foundation you may eventually come to understand a little about the keris.

20th December 2015, 06:21 AM	#11
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,964	It is probably not wise to attempt to understand the importance of Candi Sukuh by a direct reference to any of the great Hindu epics. Candi Sukuh is very special case and deserves careful attention in its own right, if we are to come to any understanding at all of the messages that are put forward in the Candi Sukuh reliefs. The message that is contained in the stele that is under discussion here is very probably more relevant to the renewal of souls, and the connection in Javanese thought between the esoteric powers of the pande and the cycle of birth - death - re-birth. There are several things that must never be forgotten when we set out to try to understand Sukuh. Firstly, it was built on the outskirts of the Majapahit kingdom. Secondly, it was built at a time when the Majapahit kingdom was already beginning to show the signs of its eventual implosion. Thirdly, it was built in a location that in itself carries a very special significance, one that can only be understood by a person who has some understanding of the world view of the Javanese farmer, and the farmer's relationship to Mother Earth. Fourthly, the artistic style employed in the Sukuh carvings is more closely related to Javanese indigenous art, than to the Javanese style of the Late Classical Period in Jawa. The fifth thing that it is essential to understand, not only in respect of the Sukuh stele that began this discussion, but in respect of any attempt to understand any Javanese monumental or other message, is that what we may think we are seeing is not necessarily what the person who originated the message intended to be seen. All Javanese messages, particularly in respect of monumental messages must be approached as a riddle that may be able to be understood by somebody with the requisite level of knowledge. This "requisite knowledge" would embrace as a bare minimum the ability to interpret that which is seen in terms of the Candra Sangkala, this by itself is not sufficient, but it is a good fundamental beginning. A good beginning to the study of Candi Sukuh is this article:- http://cip.cornell.edu/DPubS?service...ndo/1107006615 Stanley O'Connor does not have all the answers by any means, but he does give us some insight into the problems that are faced by anybody attempting to understand the messages of Candi Sukuh. I've said this more times than I can remember, but it is the one basic truth in the study of the keris:- do not attempt to understand the keris by study of the keris: you will learn nothing at all that is worthwhile if you wish to understand the keris you must study Javanese culture and society, from that foundation you may eventually come to understand a little about the keris.