A long time ago, there lived a stunningly beautiful princess named Dewi Sanggalangit, the beloved daughter of the King of Kediri Kingdom. Despite her elegance and charm that captivated the hearts of many princes and kings, Dewi Sanggalangit had no desire to marry, leaving her parents anxious as they longed for grandchildren.
One day, her father asked, “My daughter, when will you choose a husband and marry?”
Dewi Sanggalangit answered, “Father, I have never given it much thought. However, if it is your wish, I will only marry a man who can fulfill my requests.”
“What are your requests?” the king inquired.
“I am not certain yet. Allow me to seek guidance through contemplation and divine revelations. Once I know, I will let you know,” Dewi Sanggalangit replied. The king agreed to her request.
On the fourth day of her meditation, Dewi Sanggalangit, accompanied by Biyung Emban, her chief lady-in-waiting, approached the king. Bowing respectfully, she said, “Father, the man I will marry must create a grand and extraordinary performance unlike anything ever seen before. It should feature a dance accompanied by music from gamelan and hornets, a procession of 140 twin horses, and a two-headed animal.”
The king announced her conditions to the kingdom, and soon the challenge became a competition for those seeking her hand in marriage. Many attempted but failed, except two contenders: Raja Singabarong, the lion-headed king of Lodaya, and Raja Kelanaswandana, the dashing yet eccentric king of Bandarangin.
This made Dewi Sanggalangit and her father uneasy, for they knew the two men well. Raja Singabarong was a cruel and menacing figure, his lion-like face covered with fur. Raja Kelanaswandana, though handsome, had a peculiar fondness for boys, treating them as if they were maidens. Yet the contest had begun, and there was no turning back.
Singabarong, eager to win the princess, commanded his servants to gather twin horses and craft an extraordinary show. However, finding a two-headed animal proved impossible. Meanwhile, Kelanaswandana, supported by his loyal vice regent Patih Pujanggeleng and his devoted people, prepared the horses and the performance but also struggled to find the mythical creature.
Determined to outdo his rival, Singabarong ordered his spies to investigate Kelanaswandana's progress. When he learned of Kelanaswandana's success, he plotted an ambush to seize the procession. But Kelanaswandana's men captured the spies and launched a preemptive attack on Lodaya.
As Kelanaswandana’s forces approached Lodaya, Singabarong, unaware of the invasion, was resting while his pet peacock pecked at fleas on his head. Awakened by the sound of battle, Singabarong rushed out to find his troops overwhelmed. Enraged, he confronted Kelanaswandana and accused him of sabotage.
“You will pay for this treachery!” Singabarong roared. He attacked Kelanaswandana ferociously, but the Bandarangin king, though initially overpowered, used his magical whip, Kyai Pecut Samandiman, to defeat Singabarong. The whip’s powerful lash transformed Singabarong into a two-headed creature—his lion head fused with the peacock that perched on his shoulder.
Kelanaswandana captured the strange beast and brought it back to Bandarangin, completing the final element of the princess’s challenge. Days later, he arrived in Kediri with 140 twin horses, an enchanting performance, and the two-headed creature dancing to the music of gamelan and hornets.
Impressed, Dewi Sanggalangit accepted his proposal. She married Kelanaswandana, who abandoned his bad habits and became a just and beloved ruler of Bandarangin. The unique performance became a cherished tradition, passed down through generations as Reog Ponorogo, named after Ponorogo, another name for Wengker in East Java.
Moral of the Story
- Great achievements require effort, strategy, and determination.
Raja Kelanaswandana teaches us that loyalty and perseverance are the greatest strengths in achieving success. Wisdom and strategy will always triumph over sheer brute force. - Cultural heritage carries timeless beauty.
This story reminds us to honor and preserve traditions that celebrate creativity, unity, and the richness of our cultural identity.
