Deity or Demon

[jagabuwana]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Agreed.

the usual indicator for a demon is fangs, in broad terms if the figure has fangs, he's a baddy

If the keris is a shrine and the hulu guards it, how is it that a "baddy", demon or otherwise, be a guardian?

[JustYS]

Originally Posted by jagabuwana

If the keris is a shrine and the hulu guards it, how is it that a "baddy", demon or otherwise, be a guardian?

Hi Jaga,

I am sure Alan will have a much better/correct explanation, in the meantime if you're familiar with Ramayana/Mahabharata stories then you'll know that some Raksasas (considered as demons) in those stories are not all evil.

For example Gatotkaca is a Raksasa but he is not evil, he is the son of Bhima and he fought alongside the Pandavas.

Same thing with Wibisana also a Raksasa and brother of Rahwana but he is not evil and fought alongside Rama.

Cheers.

YS

[A. G. Maisey]

Tell me Jaga, when somebody has taken out a contract on you, who do you get to protect you?

The Tooth Fairy?

The Easter Bunny?

Nope, you get your mate who is the Sergeant at Arms for the local chapter of the Bandidos.

The baddest boy on the block.

Same logic.

Is some insignificant trouble maker spirit gonna screw around with a big bad bhuta with six inch fangs?

I think not.

[A. G. Maisey]

No baddies are all bad, neither are all goodies all good.

The whole thing is about balance, dark & light.

All creation must be kept in balance, its is not desirable if evil triumphs, nor is is all that good, if the other side gets the upper hand.

For example, my mate, the Sergeant at Arms, is also one of the most caring fathers I know, and he helps little old ladies across the street.

[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

No baddies are all bad, neither are all goodies all good.

The whole thing is about balance, dark & light.

All creation must be kept in balance, its is not desirable if evil triumphs, nor is is all that good, if the other side gets the upper hand.

For example, my mate, the Sergeant at Arms, is also one of the most caring fathers I know, and he helps little old ladies across the street.

remind me of the Taoism, about balance of force of nature.

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes Jaga, all the People of the Book seem to have this combative nature, this idea of one natural element in perpetual conflict with another.

Other peoples seem to have adopted a more, let us say, conciliatory philosophy where one natural element is the reverse face of another, and the balance achieved by both in opposition results in a central harmony that permits continued existence.

On the other hand, perpetual conflict can only result in continued destruction.

[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Tell me Jaga, when somebody has taken out a contract on you, who do you get to protect you?

The Tooth Fairy?

The Easter Bunny?

Nope, you get your mate who is the Sergeant at Arms for the local chapter of the Bandidos.

The baddest boy on the block.

Same logic.

Is some insignificant trouble maker spirit gonna screw around with a big bad bhuta with six inch fangs?

I think not.

well said. I love what you have wrote.