Kawi Language - Literature

Literature

There are many important literary works written in Kawi, most notably Empu Tantular's epic poem, "Kakawin Sutasoma" (E.M. Uhlenbeck, 1964: "A Critical Survey of Studies on the Languages of Java and Madura", The Hague: Martinus Nijhoff), from which is taken the National motto of Indonesia: "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika". Although often glibly translated as "Unity in Diversity", it is more correctly rendered as " scattered, remaining one"— referring to the scattered islands of the archipelago nation, not as an expression of multicultural solidarity as may be perceived in modern times.

A more modern work is the poem "Susila Budhi Dharma", by Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo, the founder of Subud. In this work, he provides a framework for understanding the experience of the latihan kejiwaan.

Famous poems, epics and other literature include:

  • Kakawin Tertua Jawa, 856
  • Kakawin Ramayana ~ 870
  • Kakawin Arjunawiwaha, mpu Kanwa, ~ 1030
  • Kakawin Kresnayana
  • Kakawin Sumanasantaka
  • Kakawin Smaradhana
  • Kakawin Bhomakawya
  • Kakawin Bharatayuddha, mpu Sedah dan mpu Panuluh, 1157
  • Kakawin Hariwangsa
  • Kakawin Gatotkacasraya
  • Kakawin Wrettasañcaya
  • Kakawin Wrettayana
  • Kakawin Brahmandapurana
  • Kakawin Kunjarakarna, mpu "Dusun"
  • Kakawin Nagarakretagama, mpu Prapanca, 1365
  • Kakawin Arjunawijaya, mpu Tantular
  • Kakawin Sutasoma, mpu Tantular
  • Kakawin Siwaratrikalpa, Kakawin Lubdhaka
  • Kakawin Parthayajna
  • Kakawin Nitisastra
  • Kakawin Nirarthaprakreta
  • Kakawin Dharmasunya
  • Kakawin Harisraya
  • Kakawin Banawa Sekar Tanakung

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