Keeping a keris for protection

[David]

Originally Posted by Pusaka

I'm not sure I understand what an isi is, can someone give me the English equivalent? Is it a created intelligence made with the empu's sakti through the help of a mantra etc or is it a natural spirit invited to have a connection with the keris?

I believe that the literal translation is "fill up", but of course, as with all things keris, once you apply it to this sphere of thinking that definition is not quite as telling as one might like.
Personally i have never met a keris that i have thought has "bad" energy or spirits. I would say that this is because of my close-minded Western way of looking at the universe, however, i happen to be a true believer in the unseen worlds and do not hold the general Western concept that all this is merely superstition and nonsense. But i have over 40 keris in my house and i have never had any trouble with any of them. Some i am sure i can sense energy in, some i have personally put energy into, while others seem more quite. All of them are appreciated though, treated with respect and oiled and incensed regularly. Maybe that is what keeps them on there best behavior.

[Pusaka]

David,

Your right there are many things you could fill up a keris with, oil, sent,spirits, wishes etc

If any of you have watched the dvd "the ring of fire" you will probably recognise the guy in the video link I have provided. At one point in this new footage he communicates with the keris isi and as a result the keris moves all by itself.
I know it could be faked but I think I believe in him

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Aos0hnwiHt8

[pakana]

Originally Posted by Pusaka

David,

Your right there are many things you could fill up a keris with, oil, sent,spirits, wishes etc

If any of you have watched the dvd "the ring of fire" you will probably recognise the guy in the video link I have provided. At one point in this new footage he communicates with the keris isi and as a result the keris moves all by itself.
I know it could be faked but I think I believe in him

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Aos0hnwiHt8

Oh yes, he is true

[David]

Originally Posted by Pusaka

If any of you have watched the dvd "the ring of fire" you will probably recognise the guy in the video link I have provided. At one point in this new footage he communicates with the keris isi and as a result the keris moves all by itself.
I know it could be faked but I think I believe in him

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Aos0hnwiHt8

The man certain does seem to have some real skills, though i wonder if the movement in the keris isn't more a testament to his power rather than the keris.

[Pusaka]

Yes your probably right, the keris moved at the same time his hand moved across the edge of the table so I think he is using his sakti/prana to do this.
Some skill he has got there

[PenangsangII]

Originally Posted by David

The man certain does seem to have some real skills, though i wonder if the movement in the keris isn't more a testament to his power rather than the keris.

It's the combination between the keris & the owner's powers

The idea of forging or owning a keris in the olden days was compatibility between the owner & the keris. It's some kind of an alter ego of the owner.

[Pusaka]

Originally Posted by David

All of them are appreciated though, treated with respect and oiled and incensed regularly.

David may I ask what incense you burn for the keris? I would be interested to know what others use also. Is there one which is considered traditional for this purpose?

[David]

I try to use sandalwood when i can though i have used others including nag champa. I prefer to use the woodier scents as opposed to sweet fragrances. Ultimately i think it is more about intention than the actual scent and whatever you decide is best for you and your keris will be best for you.

[pakana]

I think that it's more preferable natural scent incense, and that is what I use, not vanilla for example..But as david said, the intention and the positive feeling towards the keris is most important..

It is strange however that in all cultures globaly, the sense of smell is the most important when it comes to spirits.. and to humans of course, since the smell is the sense of "memory"..

George

[Pusaka]

Personally I dont burn Incense for any of my keris. I do oil them though and I dont like using any oil which may contain mineral or petroleum products.

In all cultures the burning of incense and offering of food is used to attract spirits. Actually its not the smell but the vibration which is setup in the local atmosphere that attracts such things. according to what you use you will setup a different vibration. Bad spirits are attracted to blood and the fume it gives off. Some keris have used blood in their preparation and they as a result would harbor bad spirits. Think of it like this, if your garden was full of flowers it will attract bees and butterfly's but if you had a dead animal in your garden the sent would attract flys.

[David]

Originally Posted by Pusaka

Personally I dont burn Incense for any of my keris. I do oil them though and I dont like using any oil which may contain mineral or petroleum products.

In all cultures the burning of incense and offering of food is used to attract spirits. Actually its not the smell but the vibration which is setup in the local atmosphere that attracts such things. according to what you use you will setup a different vibration. Bad spirits are attracted to blood and the fume it gives off. Some keris have used blood in their preparation and they as a result would harbor bad spirits. Think of it like this, if your garden was full of flowers it will attract bees and butterfly's but if you had a dead animal in your garden the sent would attract flys.

I am not too sure how this discussion fits in with keris since AFAIK blood sacrifice is not a common way to honor one's keris. However, since you have seen fit to speak of what "all cultures" do i think you will find that your view that blood will attract only bad spirits is not true to all cultures. It certainly isn't true in African and African diaspora cultures.
And that dead animal in your garden will only fertilize the soil and allow more flowers to grow. It's all a matter of perspective.

[Pusaka]

I found the following statement athttp://www.cimande.com/writings/keris/keris2.htm

"In Indonesia, it was and is customary to feed such a keris, at least once a week, usually on a Saturday. The feeding can consist of applying a special oil to the blade, which is made from water growing plants and then passing the blade over a special incense, allowing the smoke to encompass the blade. This incense resembles Gum Myrrh and is a resinous tree sap material called Mignon. First to start the operation the keris is asked if it may be opened (usually done if the blade is being used for a noncombat application) by saying a suitable word, such as maaf, which means, may I? If the blade glides open easily it is appropriate to continue the operation. If not then the reason must be found and it is not auspicious to try and force the issue at that time."

I would like to ask members here if they have any information on this keris oil which is made from water growing plants. I have never heard of it personally until I read the above statement.

[PenangsangII]

Originally Posted by David

I am not too sure how this discussion fits in with keris since AFAIK blood sacrifice is not a common way to honor one's keris. However, since you have seen fit to speak of what "all cultures" do i think you will find that your view that blood will attract only bad spirits is not true to all cultures. It certainly isn't true in African and African diaspora cultures.
And that dead animal in your garden will only fertilize the soil and allow more flowers to grow. It's all a matter of perspective.

Bugis keris culture has this ritual called "mencerak". Blood of animal (usually rooster) replaced the use of human blood (usually the keris owner's himself).