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Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey
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.
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The five pandavas are seen by some as representing a manifestation of the five elements, the five personality types in man and the five stages of life.
Indeed some schools teach that the refining of metallic ores and the forging of the keris is an inner and outer process. Much in the same way as masons use the analogy of the construction of the temple for the building of the divine man.
The empu is simultaneously refining himself as he forges the blade in the fire. The fire and forging that removes the impurity's of the blade are also purifying his inner nature. In this School of thought then the 16 types of bumi from which a keris can be forged are simultaneously inside of you and without. The inner transmutation is Alchemical and is balanced by the outer smith work.