Goddess Danu as Source of Prosperity

0
inShare

Hindu community in Bali believes in the manifestation of God as Sang Hyang Dewi Danu, the goddess of fertility and the source of prosperity. Goddess Danu is usually worshiped at Ulun Danu located in the upstream of a lake. “Ulun’ means upstream (opposite to downstream) and ‘Danu’ means lake. In addition to forests, the surrounding area of Ulun Danu Temple also grows various flourishing flowers.

In the effort to maintain the balance of nature, especially in maintaining water, Hindu community in Bali does it physically (sekala) and psychically (niskala). Psychically, it is performed through animal sacrificial ceremony known as pakelem. On that account, this kind of ceremony is usually carried out in the water sources including lakes.
Prof. Dr. I Nengah Duija said that pakelem or mapakelem ceremony is one of the ways carried out by the Hindu community in Bali in appreciating to water, including the water of the lake. Manifestation of God revered in the lake is Goddess Danu, the goddess of water posing a culture of water for human life. “In the purana manuscript, Goddess Danu emits water to the entire Bali from nearest to distant regions,” he said.
Since people believe to have the god of water, they have special treatment to the goddess. As a matter of fact, there are stages of ritual performed by Hindu community, ranging from the smallest to the largest ones. All the stages should be done because they are integrated. “When paddy fields have vanished, it means there is a missing step,” said Rector of the Hindu Dharma Institute (IHDN) of Denpasar.
But more importantly, explained Prof. Duija, in keeping the water it must be balanced with the maintenance of forest as the buffer of water. Therefore, no matter how grandiose the ritual performed is, without being balanced with real action in keeping the forest it will be in vain. Philosophically, there is a strength performed in managing water, and at the same time the forests should also be maintained. “If we maintain Goddess Danu, the forests are also maintained,” he added.
The ritual performed by the Hindus in maintaining the forest is wana kertih ceremony, but it is not quite enough with the ceremony only without being equipped with real activities such as by not cutting down forests carelessly and intensifying greening activities. “Treating nature is not simple. We have been endowed with an understanding on logic, therefore, it must be accompanied with supporting components such as forest preservation,” he concluded.
Then, many lakes are now functioned as a tourist attraction, as one of the measures to gain prosperity. However, it is worth noting that people seeking prosperity must contribute to maintain nature. “Other than physical development, the aspect of civilization must also be developed,” he concluded.www.bali-travelnews.com
balinese life and culture