Aji Saka

Aji Saka is a Javanese legend that tells the story about how civilization came to Java, brought by legendary first king of Java named Aji Saka, and the mythical story of Javanese script origin.

Aji Saka is said to come from Bhumi Majeti, a mythical location in Jambudvipa (India). His name comes from the Javanese word saka or soko meaning essential, important, or in this case primordial. Thus the name Aji Saka literally means "primordial king". A more modern interpretation derives his name from the Saka or Indo-Scythian Western Satraps of Gujarat. In either case, the legend is viewed as symbolising the advent of Dharmic Hindu-Buddhist civilization in Java. The legend also holds that Aji Saka was the inventor of the Saka year, or at least the first king that initiated the adoption of this Hindu calendar system in Java. The kingdom of Medang Kamulan was probably linked to the historical Medang Kingdom. The story of Aji Saka defeating a man-eating king has also been interpreted as the downfall of an unpopular local ruler, the rise from cannibalism to civilisation, and perhaps also resistance to Indian faiths by the ruling class.

Soon after the gods created and nailed the island of Java to its place, the island become habitable. However the first race that rule the island was the race of denawa (giant demon) that repressed all creatures and ate humans. The first kingdom in Java was Medang Kamulan, and the king was the Giant King Dewata Cengkar, the cruel King of the country who had a habit to eat human flesh of his own people.

One day came a young wise man, by the name of Aji Saka to fight Dewata Cengkar. Aji Saka himself came from Bumi Majeti. One day he told his two servants, by the name of Dora and Sembodo, that he was going to Java. He told them that while he was away, both of them have to guard his Pusaka (heirloom). No one except Aji Saka himself allowed to take the Pusaka. After arriving in Java, Aji Saka moved inland to the kingdom of Medang Kamulan. In the big battle, Aji Saka could successfully push Dewata Cengkar to fall to the Javan Southern Sea (Indian Ocean). Dewata Cengkar did not die, he became a Bajul Putih (White Crocodile). Aji Saka became a ruler of Medang Kamulan.

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