A Glimpse of Cultural Contact of Odisha with Bali
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November - 2014 Odisha Review A Glimpse of Cultural Contact of Odisha with Bali Dr. Mohammed Yamin The earliest sources about the maritime activities referred four types of timber used for making of Indians traced in the hymn from Rig Veda, it ships.3 reveal stories about sea-voyages, the adventures Socio-cultural interaction through related to Bhuja, son of Tugra in the middle of the maritime relation leading to the process of mutual sea and his rescue by Asvin.1 In Rig Veda Baruna exchange and enrichment are most fascinating has been described as the Lord of the sea and it features of Odishan maritime account. The sea- has been referred as Ratnakara or the treasure faring tradition of Odisha had its beginning since abode of wealth. The Ramayana suggests contact pre-historic periods.4 It has long maritime history between India and far-off countries. The which had developed owing to its close proximity Mahabharata cited naval expedition of with the sea.5 The history of Odisha as a state is Sahadeva.2 Buddhist works Hitopedesa and remarkable for its political greatness for imperial Kathasaritasagara and Jatakas trace several expansion and cultural heritage. It was shaped stories on high sea. Kautilya's Arthasastra cited by its geographical situation and history. The officer like Navadhyaksa controlled maritime spread of cultural ties between Odisha could be tricks. During Maurya dynasty important ports possible due to various factors like navigational were developed both in eastern and western coast expertise of the people and their urge for carrying for maintaining maritime contact. Ptolemy’s out external trade and commerce.6 Geography gives account of ports on Indian Odisha’s geographical position on the sea coast, including Barygaza (modern Broach) and coast of Bengal provided ample opportunities for Tamralipti for organizing trade contact with maritime relation with Southeast Asia. It was a abroad. Periplus of Erythrean Sea, a work of vast and prosperous kingdom with its boundary 50 C.E. mentioned the ports along with the extending from Ganga to Godavari at different imported and exported articles. Sources also phases of history. It is said that the prosperity was inform us of the mercantile relation of due to mercantile ties with Southeast Asia. Its Satavahanas, Pallavas and Cholas. Sopara, peoples were known for their daring venture and Kalyana, Hannovar and Gokarna have been dynamic spirit, that is why Odishan people are highlighted as the sea ports of the Satavahanas. remembered in Indonesia as Kalingah The Aihole inscription hinted the naval expedition Sahasikah, the brave Kalingans.7 Its flourishing of Chalukyan king Pulakesin II to Puri. Panini ports like Tamralipti, Palura, Pithunda, Chelitalo 113 Odisha Review November - 2014 etc. provided excellent sea-routes for external is; He who is Siva is Buddha (Ya Siva Ya trade.8 Buddha).11 Siva was treated as most powerful in Bali located between Java and Lombok spite of popularity of Gods like Vishnu, Brahma, presents a synchronized picture of Hinduism and Indra, Baruna, Krishna and Ganesha. Siva was Buddhism. The commercial ties between Bali and most powerful and has the attributes of both India slowly developed into socio-cultural Vishnu and Brahma. According to Balinese belief contact. Balinese were biologically belonging to and tradition Bali was the centre of universe and southern Mongoloid group. Since early century abode of Gods with Siva as the presiding deity. C.E. Bali had flourishing industries as Odishan They also believed that the spirits or butas living sculpture, the Sambalpuri style of textile weaving in water, tree and hills.12 Evil butas to be appeased has influenced the tie and dye weaving known as and benevolent spirit were to be solicited with patola in Bali, where themes of Indian mythology companionship. Pitara or ancestor worship was are found. The monkey or kecak dance and tiger widespread in Bali. Each houses for the purpose or barong dance of villages marked the burial of religious rituals like pegursi, galungan and site with iron, bronze, glass and beads. Discovery kuningan constructed a small temple and special of Indian rouletteware have established the fact prayer held for the departed soul. In each worship that Sembiran and Gilimanuk had maintained brisk ghruta (clarified butter), kusa (grass effigy), trade with Roman empire, India and Southeast madhu (honey) and tila (sesamum) are offered Asia.9 With the growth in trade Indian influence to Gods and Goddesses. spread to large area. The Chinese text referred In the early part of 5th century C.E. Bali as Po-li, when Balinese King Kaundinya Buddhism entered into Bali. The Purvaka Veda maintains diplomatic relation with China. With Buddha contains the Buddhist priest daily rituals. the growth of trade Indian influence began to As stated above Siva was regarded as elder spread. Brahmans were employed in the Balinese brother with age-old privileges and Buddha was ruler’s court. Hindu Gods like Siva and Vishnu a younger brother with ascetic qualities. The worship became widespread, later on Buddhism ceremonial consecrated water brought by a and Saivism welded into a unified system. Javanese Saivite priest is mixed with that of a Buddhist. culture was also prevalent in Bali. Thereafter Islam entered into Southeast Asia including Bali. Bali The practice of a Saivite is known as Bhakti never lost its own cultural moorings and developed whereas Buddhist is called Yoga. The worship of its own unique culture by absorbing extraterrestrial a Dhyani Buddha and Prajnaparamita in Bali influence.10In this paper a brief attempt have been was the influence of Javanese religion. Regarding made to enumerate the cultural link between Buddhism there was cordiality between Odisha Odisha and Bali in the foollowing points. and Bali. A section of Brahmans in Karangasam district called themselves as Brahmans-Bouddha- Religion Kalinga. The votive tablets with inscription and Brahaminical religion was well-known in Buddha figure and Boddhisattva have been found Bali; here Siva is recognized as the elder brother from Bali, Ratnagiri and Avana in Odisha.13 of Buddha and on the occasion of religious Interestingly in the daily rituals of a Buddhist priest, ceremony four Saivite and one Buddhist priests God is addressed as Jagannath, Suresvara and perform the rituals, so the common mass saying Rudra. 114 November - 2014 Odisha Review The recitation of Lord Jagannath in community, but there was no sign of untouchability prayer suggests itself the contact of Odisha with in Bali. Bali. In Odishan tradition Adi Buddha is referred The Balinese society has maintained their as Jagannath. Most probably king Indrabhuti of indigenous garb with regard to their festivals and Odisha introduced Vajrajana Buddhism in Bali. social choir. They followed their calendar with five In his Tantric work Jnanasiddhi the first sloka days a week and Saturday treated as most refers to close relation between Jagannath and auspicious day as it was marked for Goddess Buddha.Buddhist Tantric cult was also prevalent Sarasvati worship. They did not consider th in Bali. San-Hyan –Kamahayankan a 9 century Amavasya as auspicious night.17 The Saka- work teaches Tantric variety of Mahayan sect. It Samvat or New Year celebration is a week long was developed due to the influence of India and observation marked by several entertainments. Java. Siva is also worshiped in Bali as Jagannath The Balinese also celebrate festivals like and the priest recite hymn like; Om Ksamam 14 Sivaratri, Saraswati Puja or Odalon Siavadeva Jagannath Hitamkara. Thus there Saraswati and Durga puja or Page Wesi. The was rapprochement between Siva, Buddha and legends of Odisha speak of marchents or Jagannath in Bali and this influence basically came sadhavas going to far-off islands like Java and from Odisha. Bali for maritime trade. To mark this tradition the Society Odishan people take a dip in river water. This Hinduism was the major religion of the festival celebrated in the month of October/ November on the auspicious day of Kartika Bali, it represented the characteristic of four fold 18 caste system in the society; Brahmans (priestly Purnima. In Cuttack, on the banks of of the caste), Sastria (warrior), Wesia (noble) and rest Mahanadi river a large number of people 15 congregate for celebration of festival called Bali of the population comes under Sudra caste. The 19 first three categories known as trivangsa occupy Yatra or Journey to Bali. In the same way the advantage place. Inter-caste marriage was Balinese observed the Masakapam Kapesih prevalent despite rigid caste system. The upper festival by floating a small boat having burning caste or trivangsa accorded special title; ida for candles with the belief that the child is being sent Brahmans, deva to Sastras and gusti for to his original homeland Kalinga. The rites of the Wesias.16 Further the Brahmans were funeral ceremony are known as Pitrayajna. The categorized into two divisions; Padanede and rituals like shaving of heads, offering food items Pamangku.The Padanede were worshipping i.e., clarified butter, sesamum, honey and feeding priest of Siva and enjoyed more privileges. They to Brahmans on twelfth days are found in Odisha. maintain high moral order and procure holy water, The Mahendratanaya river of Odisha along with and the pamangku worshipping priest of Siva the Mahendra mountain are recited in Balinese relegated to common status. They performed rites stutis. The river Mahanadi is considered sacred and rituals in village, temple and for the lower caste which is known from the following slokas; Om or Sudras. The word Idayus used for female Ganga, Sindhu, Sarasvati, Vipasa, Kausika Brahmans. The warrior or sastria also enjoyed Nadi Yamuna, Mahanadi Srestha Sarya royal power and privileges. The wesias were Mahati. influential categories, and the last division sudras Similarities are also recorded in food known as kaulas were regarded impure habits, manner and dress design of Odisha and 115 Odisha Review November - 2014 Bali.