{"id":1831,"date":"2023-09-28T20:05:30","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T20:05:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mudabicara.com\/en\/?p=1831"},"modified":"2023-09-28T20:06:18","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T20:06:18","slug":"this-is-gajah-madas-biography-mahapatih-originator-of-the-palapa-oath","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mudabicara.com\/en\/this-is-gajah-madas-biography-mahapatih-originator-of-the-palapa-oath\/","title":{"rendered":"This is Gajah Mada’s biography: Mahapatih, Originator of the Palapa Oath"},"content":{"rendered":"

Friends of Mudalovers<\/em>, of course, already know this character. <\/span>Searching for historical traces of Majapahit’s glory would not be complete without discussing Patih Gajah Mada. <\/span>Gajah Mada was the most influential mahapatih figure in the long journey of the Majapahit Kingdom to the peak of its glory.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He was known as a mighty patih who was loyal to the Majapahit throne to continue to maintain the integrity and expand the influence of the kingdom. <\/span>One of Gajah Mada’s roles during Majapahit’s heyday was to unite the archipelago, as he stated in the Palapa Oath.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

His services are still glorified by the Indonesian people to this day. <\/span>The Indonesian people have considered him a hero, a symbol of patriotism and national unity.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The story of his life, career journey and struggles was obtained from several sources, especially from the Book of Pararaton, Kakawin Nagarakretagama ( <\/span><\/span>N\u0101garak\u1e5bt\u00e2gama<\/span><\/span><\/i> ), and inscriptions dating from the end of the 13th century.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

However, the Nagarakretagama records or the 1351 Singhasari Prasasti (Gajah Mada Inscription), two of the main sources for the study of classical history, are not enough to explain Gajah Mada in detail and completely.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Likewise, several chronicles that have appeared recently, some of which even describe the figure of the Mahapatih as a figure in the sky and coming from a country in the middle of nowhere.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So, to get to know this figure more clearly, let’s look together at a brief explanation about Gajah Mada which has been summarized from various sources below. <\/span>Happy reading.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Origins of Gajah Mada<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

No one knows for sure that Gajah Mada was born, except his own father and mother. <\/span>This is because there are no written sources that mention it clearly, firmly and definitively. <\/span>Several chronicles reveal the birth of Gajah Mada with comments that are far beyond logic.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

However, Mohammad Yamin, a figure in the Indonesian movement, dared to mention the origins of Gajah Mada. <\/span>Yamin’s opinion was then expressed again by Agus Aris Munandar, a doctor and archeology expert from the University of Indonesia.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In essence, these two figures said that Gajah Mada was born around the upper reaches of the Brantas River and the foot of Mount Kawi and Mount Arjuna. <\/span>Agus Aris Munandar said that Gajah Mada was born in Pandaan, a small town that was developing on the slopes of Mount Welirang Arjuna.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pandaan or Pandakan (now part of Pasuruan Regency, East Java), was once noted as a special place by Pararaton, when Singhasari was destroyed and Majapahit grew.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Gajah Mada’s father was probably Gajah Pagon, who accompanied Raden Wijaya when he fought against Jayakatwang’s followers from Kediri. <\/span>Gajah Pagon could not have been an ordinary person, in fact it was very likely the son of one of Kertanagara’s concubines because in the Book of Pararaton, Gajah Pagon’s name is mentioned specifically.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

At that time, Raden Wijaya was very worried about Elephant Pagon, who was injured and entrusted it to the Head of Pandakan Village. <\/span>According to Agus, Gajah Pagon probably survived and then married the daughter of the Pandakan Village Head and eventually had a child, namely Gajah Mada, who served Majapahit.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Gajah Mada probably also had the same grandfather as Tribhuwana Tunggadewi. <\/span>The difference is, Gajah Mada is the grandson of a concubine’s wife, while Tribhuwana Tunggadewi is the grandson of Kertanagara’s official wife. <\/span>Thus, it is not surprising and understandable that Gajah Mada really respects Kertanagara.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Kertanegara is his own grandfather. <\/span>Only Kertanegara descendants would be happy to build\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>a caitya<\/span><\/span><\/i> \u00a0(sacred building) in the form of Singasari Temple to commemorate the greatness of their ancestors. <\/span>The concept of the Dwipantra Mandala political idea from Kertanagara probably also inspired and encouraged Gajah Mada in initiating the Palapa Oath.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The majority of sources state that Gajah Mada was born in 1299 and had the other name Jirnnodhara. <\/span>He was a warlord and mahapatih of the Majapahit Kingdom who was very influential during the reign of Hayam Wuruk and was famous for his oath, namely the Palapa Oath.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The meaning of the name Gajah Mada<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

According to Hindu mythology, the word “elephant” is believed to be the\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>vehicle<\/span><\/span><\/em> \u00a0(riding animal) of the god Indra, while “mada” in Old Javanese means drunk. <\/span>The name Gajah Mada is interpreted into two characteristics, namely as the king’s vehicle or executor of the king’s orders and as a person who seems to be drunk when facing various obstacles that hinder him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In the Gajah Mada Inscription it is written that Gajah Mada had another nickname, namely Rakryan Mapatih Jirnnodhara, which may only be considered a title. <\/span>However, it can also be considered his real name. <\/span>Jirnnodhara itself means “builder of something new” or “restorer of something that has been damaged\/collapsed”.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In a literal sense, Gajah Mada was the builder of a sacred building for Kertanegara that did not previously exist. <\/span>However, in a figurative sense he can be seen as the restorer and successor of Kertanegara’s ideas in the Dwipantara Mandala concept.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Read Also : This is the biography of Sultan Hasanuddin: Family background and history of his struggle<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/pre>\n
Gajah Mada Career<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Gajah Mada began his career in Majapahit by becoming a\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>bekel<\/span><\/span><\/em> \u00a0(head of troops)\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>bhayangkara\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em> (king’s bodyguard) during the reign of Prabu Jayanegara in 1309\u20131328. <\/span>According to Pararaton, when he was commander of the Bhayangkara special forces, Gajah Mada managed to save Prabu Jayanegara and take him away to Badander Village, and succeeded in quelling Ra Kuti’s rebellion.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
As a reward, Jayanegara appointed Gajah Mada as a patih in Kahuripan in 1319\u20131321 to accompany Tribhuwana Tunggadewi. <\/span>However, two years later he was appointed governor to replace Arya Tilam who resigned as governor in Daha\/Kediri.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
After Jayanegara died in 1329, Aryo Tadah or Mpu Kewes as the governor of Majapahit wanted to resign from his position. <\/span>He submitted his resignation to Queen Mother Gayatri, who replaced Jayanegara.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Mpu Kewes resigned because he was old and sickly. <\/span>He then appointed Gajah Mada, who was then a governor in Kediri, as his successor. <\/span>However, Gajah Mada did not immediately agree because he wanted to provide a service to Majapahit first by defeating the Keta and Sadeng rebellions, who were rebelling at that time.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
After Keta and Sadeng were conquered by Gajah Mada in 1334, he was appointed Mahapatih Amangkubhumi (Prime Minister) officially to replace Mpu Kewes, who wanted to retire since 1329.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Gajah Mada is famous for his oath, namely the Palapa Oath. <\/span>The Palapa Oath is a statement made at his appointment ceremony as Mahapatih Amangkubhumi Majapahit in 1334. At that time, Majapahit was ruled by Queen Tribhuwana Tunggadewi.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
The contents of the Palapa Oath are found in the Middle Javanese text Pararaton which reads:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
” <\/span><\/span>If we lose the archipelago, it’s a matter of amukti palapa, if we lose in the desert, in Seran, Tanjung Pura, in Haru, in Pahang, Dompo, in Bali, Sunda, Palembang, Tumasik, it’s the same isun amukti palapa”<\/span><\/span><\/em> .<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
The meaning of the oath is:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
” <\/span><\/span>If I have subjugated the entire archipelago under Majapahit rule, I will (only) break my fast. <\/span>If I beat Gurun, Seram, Tanjung Pura, Haru, Pahang, Dompo, Bali, Sunda, Palembang, Tumasik, that’s how I (will) break my fast<\/span><\/span><\/em> .”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
When the oath was taken, many people laughed at and belittled Gajah Mada’s ideals to unite the archipelago.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
The meanings of the place names mentioned in the Palapa Oath are as follows:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n