§ § §
Permaisuri Chintamani Ratna Ningsih (Pushpa Aryani) (Ekawati Sulonjana Putri) menghirup air kelapa muda yang baru di bawa oleh inangnya, melayani lamunannya. Isi kelapanya begitu lembut dan manis, sungguh enak dan menyegarkan rasanya bagi tekaknya yang kering kontang di waktu petang ketika cuaca panas membahang. Suaminya, Maharaja Mara Vijaya, kini sudah berminggu-minggu di perbatasan. Membuat persediaan terakhir untuk menyerang musuh ketat Palembang, iaitu negeri Medang Mataram. Serangan besar-besaran yang diharap akan menghentikan serangan-serangan Medang Mataram sendiri yang bertubi-tubi terhadap Palembang sudah beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini.
“Bala tentera mereka terlalu besar, Kanda. Dinda merasa sedikit bimbang terhadap keselamatan Kanda.” Demikian Chintamani menyuarakan kerisauannya sebelum pemergian suaminya bersama lima ribu orang anggota terhandal bala tentera Palembang.
“Kita tiada pilihan lain, Dinda. Lebih baik bala tentera Palembang yang menyerang Medang Mataram di bumi mereka. Daripada kita menunggu mereka menyerang kita di bumi kita. Sebagaimana yang sudah begitu sering kali berlaku sebelum ini. Kalau mereka yang menyerang kita dengan seluruh bala tentera mereka, seperti biasa penduduk desa di sekitar kota Palembang yang akan lari bertempiaran, maka akan tambah menyukarkan lagi pergerakan dan tindak balas bala tentera Palembang sendiri.”
“Habis bagaimanakah bala tentera kita akan menghadapi masalah yang akan timbul daripada jumlah bala tentera mereka yang jauh lebih besar, Kanda? Ia pastinya suatu cabaran yang amat sukar diatasi.”
“Kita akan membuat serangan mengejut pada waktu dan dengan cara yang langsung tidak dijangka. Dan kita akan menggempur mereka ketika mereka sedang berhimpun di tempat yang sempit, dengan itu membuat mereka porak-peranda dan menghapuskan kelebihan yang mereka miliki daripada jumlah mereka yang besar. Malah, bilangan mereka yang ramai itu akan tambah merumitkan lagi kemampuan mereka untuk bergerak dan bertindak balas.”
“Kanda sungguh bijaksana. Dinda amat bangga dengan Kanda. Maka bagaimanakah perkara sebegitu boleh dilaksanakan, Kanda?”
“Itu adalah rahsia ketenteraan yang sulit di antara Kanda dan para panglima tertinggi. Perajurit bawahan tidak seorangpun akan mengetahuinya hingga ke detik terakhir. Kanda tidak dapat berkongsi sebarang maklumat tentangnya dengan barang sesiapapun, termasuk Dinda. Usahlah Dinda terlalu gundah-gulana. Kanda akan kembali membawa kemenangan untuk Persekutuan Agung Palembang Sri Vijaya.”
“Selamat jalan, Kanda. Moga-moga sejahtera dan berjaya.”
“Selamat tinggal, Dinda. Sentiasalah Dinda pantau serta awasi gerak-geri dan tingkah laku Sang Rama sebagai Raja Adhipati dan Putera Mahkota sepanjang ketiadaan Kanda … dan beri nasihat yang sewajarnya kepadanya bila dirasakan perlu … dan nanti Dinda laporkan kepada Kanda.”
“Kanda tidak cukup yakin dengan Sang Rama?”
“Tidak begitu, Dinda. Cuma … dia kadang-kala membuat Kanda sedikit bimbang. Dia terlalu mudah naik angin dan panas baran. Tindak-tanduknya selama ini sering kali terburu nafsu serta terpacu oleh perasaan mendadak yang membuak-buak.”
“Baiklah, Kanda. Akan Dinda laksanakan dengan sebaiknya.”
§ § §
A Chinese text recorded that at the end of the tenth century, a Srivijayan ambassador sent to the court of China reported the attack from Java and requested protection. During the winter of 992, it was learned from Canto that this ambassador, who had left the capital of China two years before, had learnt that his country had been invaded by She-po (Java) and as a consequence, had remained in Canton for a year. In the spring of 992, the ambassador went to Champa with his ship, but since he did not hear any good new there, he returned to China and requested that an imperial decree be promulgated placing San-fo-chi under the protection of China. About the same time, the Chinese court received Javanese envoys that brought corroborative information to China. They reported that their country was continually at war with San-fo-chi, but what they did not say was that the aggression came from them. In 995, the geographer Masudi spoke in grandiloquent terms of the "kingdom of the Maharaja", king of the islands of Zabag; among theirs exploits were Kalah and Sribuza. At 999 it appears that a Sri Vijaya king had moved his court to Vijaya of Prey Nokor by judging from his incomplete coronation name "Yang Pu ku Vijaya Sri" found in an inscription of the region.
§ § § § § § § § § §§ § § § § § § § § §Di suatu zaman, bermula tahun 990 Masihi, kerajaan Palembang yang menerajui Persekutuan Srivijaya sering menerima serangan tanpa bersebab oleh kerajaan Medang Mataram. Rajanya, Sri Teguh Dharmavamsa Ananta Vikrama, bersemayam di Keraton Watu Galuh di Kota Turriyan di Daerah Mataram. Menggantikan ayahandanya Sri Makuta Vamsa Vardhana.
Perancangan demi perancangan di buat oleh Maharaja Chulamani Varma Deva dan putera baginda Mara Vijaya Thungga Varman untuk mengatasi masalah itu. Akhirnya, pada tahun 1016 Masihi, Mara Vijaya Thunga Varman membuat serangan besar-besaran secara mengejut yang menghancurkan sepenuhnya kerajaan Medang Mataram. Serangan itu dibuat dengan bantuan Ratu Sri Jaya Bhupati dan Panglima Shankara dari negeri Wura Wari di Pulau Jawa serta Panglima Shakranta dari negeri Kelantan Amdan Negara di Semenanjung Emas.
At one time (year 990), Medang kingdom under King Sri Teguh Dharmawangsa (985-1006) of the Isyana dynasty was confident enough to attack Srivijaya and tried to overtake the capital Palembang but failed. The empire wasn’t going to let this go, and apparently started to plan something with its ally in Java, Worawari kingdom with their king, King Sri Jayabupati.
Princess Mahendradata Gunapriya Dharmapadni of Isyana dynasty was married to the king of Bali, King Udayana of Warmadewa dynasty. They had a son named Airlangga. Prince Airlangga lived in the court of his uncle King Sri Teguh Dharmawangsa, and by the custom of that time was engaged to the king’s daughter, his own cousin, Princess Dyah Sri Laksmi. When he was 16 years old the kingdom rejoiced to celebrate their wedding. Too bad, their time of joy was disturbed because it was the time when Srivijaya retaliated with its ally Worawari kingdom. The capital Turyyan was completely destroyed, Watugaluh palace was burned to the ground, and even the royal temple Tajung Muang couldn’t withstand its fate. The king, along with Mahendradata and other nobilities were killed in the ambush, but Airlangga, Dyah Sri Laksmi and a friend named Narotama were lucky enough to escape through a secret passageway.
At one time (year 990), Medang kingdom under King Sri Teguh Dharmawangsa (985-1006) of the Isyana dynasty was confident enough to attack Srivijaya and tried to overtake the capital Palembang but failed. The empire wasn’t going to let this go, and apparently started to plan something with its ally in Java, Worawari kingdom with their king, King Sri Jayabupati.
Princess Mahendradata Gunapriya Dharmapadni of Isyana dynasty was married to the king of Bali, King Udayana of Warmadewa dynasty. They had a son named Airlangga. Prince Airlangga lived in the court of his uncle King Sri Teguh Dharmawangsa, and by the custom of that time was engaged to the king’s daughter, his own cousin, Princess Dyah Sri Laksmi. When he was 16 years old the kingdom rejoiced to celebrate their wedding. Too bad, their time of joy was disturbed because it was the time when Srivijaya retaliated with its ally Worawari kingdom. The capital Turyyan was completely destroyed, Watugaluh palace was burned to the ground, and even the royal temple Tajung Muang couldn’t withstand its fate. The king, along with Mahendradata and other nobilities were killed in the ambush, but Airlangga, Dyah Sri Laksmi and a friend named Narotama were lucky enough to escape through a secret passageway.
In Makutho, they learned about a lot from the knowledgeable hermit Mpu Kanwa. Three years later, Airlangga decided to rebuild Medang kingdom with the support of Mpu Kanwa and his disciples, and so the capital was built in year 1019 and named as “Kahuripan” (also known as Koripan), which means “life” as a sign of the rebirth of Medang. A new royal temple was also built and named as Tajung Muang Anom (“Young Tajung Muang” in reference of the old Tajung Muang in Turryan).
Airlangga and Dyah Sri Laksmi had a daughter named Kilisuci. Kilisuci was the crown princess and she was supposed to be the heir of the kingdom. Everybody loved her as she was a wise and good-mannered princess and sure that she would make a good queen, but she herself was more interested in learning about religion and faith. So when it was time for her to take upon the throne, the good-natured princess refused as she preferred to live as a hermit in Selomangleng cave. This caused a succession crisis as this left the throne to her 2 step brothers Mapanji Garasakan and Samarawijaya. The 2 brothers were known as ill-mannered princes, but as the rule went they were the legitimate heirs in line after the crown princess declined. So Airlangga, with the advice of his counselors decided to divide the kingdom equally to the 2 brothers;1. The area south of Brantas River including Penanggungan Mountain (where Airlangga went to become a hermit) was given to Samarawijaya, with the name of Kediri/Panjalu Kingdom with its capital Dhahanapura (Dhaha).
2. The area north of Brantas River including Selomangleng cave (where Kilisuci went to become a hermit) was given to Mapanji Garasakan, with the name of Jenggala Kingdom with the old capital Kahuripan.The decision was thought as a good decision for some times. But after Airlangga died, the two brothers let hatred and envy got the better of them which lead to war between the two kingdoms by the year of 1052.Amidst this chaotic relationship between the sisterly kingdoms stories and legends emerged. So was the case of Panji story. According to the story, Panji Asmara Bangun or Raden Inu Kertapati was the son of Prabu Lembu Amiluhur, a king of Jenggala, while Galuh Candra Kirana or Dyah Sekartaji was a princess of Kediri, daughter of Kertamerta.§ § § § § § § § § § § § §
Mataram semakin sering dan semakin garang menyerang Palembang dan Jambi. Chulamanivarmadeva, Maharaja Srivijaya, hampir mati akal hendak menyelesaikan masalah itu. Mengapakah kerajaan Jawa itu terlalu ganas dan gelojoh ingin menakluki dan memiliki Srivijaya? Tidak cukup lagi dengan memperolehi wilayah milik Sailendra di Jawa Barat. Wilayah yang mereka rampas melalui penipuan besar dengan mengahwini putera mereka Rakai Pikatan dengan Pramowardhani puteri Samaratunga raja Sailendra. Kini mereka bercita-cita hendak menumpaskan seluruh saki-baki kerajaan Srivijaya. Kerajaan yang diwarisi oleh Balaputradeva iaitu nenek moyang Chulamani. Balaputra putera Samaratunga maka pewaris wajar takhta Sailendra yang mereka usir itu ibunya seorang puteri Srivijaya, iaitu puteri Tara, puteri kepada Dharmasetu.
Tahun itu Chulamani menghantar utusan lagi kepada Maharaja China. Baginda memohon bantuan Maharaja China supaya dapat kiranya dikekang cita-cita besar Mataram. Namun, Maharaja China seperti dalam keadaan serba salah. Mataram juga seperti Palembang. Mengakui pertuanan China dan sering kali menghatar ufti kepadanya. Maka Mataram juga dianggap sebagai sahabat. Ditelan pahit, dibuang sayang. Dicubit paha kanan, paha kiri yang sakit. Dicubit paha kiri, paha kanan pula yang terasa. Apakan daya baginda, hanya sekadar dapat memberi nasihat.
Orang-orang Tamil dari Cholamandalam juga kini semakin naik tocang. Bahtera perdagangan mereka semakin besar. Pahlawan mereka yang mengiringi kapal-kapal saudagar itu juga kelihatan semakin bengis dan semakin ramai. Mereka kini sukar hendak mendengar arahan pengawal pelabuhan Srivijaya.
Mungkinkah pahlawan tambahan dari Langkasuka mampu membantu Palembang untuk menangkis serangan Mataram yang bertubi-tubi ini? Mungkinkah Udayadityavraman, bekas Maharaja Srivijaya sebelum saudaranya Chulamani, yang kini menduduki takhta Angkor Kemboja itu, akan mempertimbangkan permintaan Chulamani untuk mendapatkan tentera bantuan?
Sunggguh tidak disangka-sangka. Udayaditya kononya pulang ke Ligor hanya kerana menjunjung titah Raja Angkor dan menerima perlantikannya menjadi Senapati oleh Raja Angkor yang juga merupakan bapa saudara baginda. Kemudiannya didengari berita bahawa Udayaditya telah menaiki takhta Ligor. Entah bagaimana caranya, terakhir sekali dia telah berjaya menundukkan Lavo yang menjadi pusat pemerintah bala tentera Angkor, sekaligus membolehkannya merampas takhta Angkor.
Baginda teringatkan Anusapati, Panglima Utama Langkasuka. Mungkinkah dia mampu menewaskan tentera Jawa yang ganas dari Mataram jika tugas itu diberikan kepadanya?
* * *
A Chinese text recorded that at the end of the tenth century, a Srivijayan ambassador sent to the court of China reported the attack from Java and requested protection. During the winter of 992, it was learned from Canto that this ambassador, who had left the capital of China two years before, had learnt that his country had been invaded by She-po (Java) and as a consequence, had remained in Canton for a year. In the spring of 992, the ambassador went to Champa with his ship, but since he did not hear any good new there, he returned to China and requested that an imperial decree be promulgated placing San-fo-chi under the protection of China. About the same time, the Chinese court received Javanese envoys that brought corroborative information to China. They reported that their country was continually at war with San-fo-chi, but what they did not say was that the aggression came from them. In 995, the geographer Masudi spoke in grandiloquent terms of the "kingdom of the Maharaja", king of the islands of Zabag; among theirs exploits were Kalah and Sribuza. At 999 it appears that a Sri Vijaya king had moved his court to Vijaya of Prey Nokor by judging from his incomplete coronation name "Yang Pu ku Vijaya Sri" found in an inscription of the region.
Secara senyap-senyap … tanpa sebarang perisytiharan riuh rendah dan megah bangga … angkatan perang gabungan Langkasuka-Wurawari-Palembang terus mara ke kota Turriyan, pusat pentadbiran kerajaan Medang Mataram.
Panglima Shakranta memimpin ketumbukan pahlawan semenanjung, dengan segerombolan pahlawan berkuda gergasi, dari arah Pantai Parang Teritis. Ketumbukan pahlawan Wura Wari, dikepalai oleh Panglima Shankara, bersembunyi di kawasan hutan tebal berhampiran Kampung Bumi Segoro, kira-kira sepersangga jauhnya dari Candi Borobodur. Merekabergerak menuruni cerun bukit dari arah Gunung Merapi, merentas Dataran Kedu lantas menghala ke timur ke arah Lembah Sungai Brantas. Manakala Maharaja Mara Vijaya sendiri, menerajui bala tentera Palembang, membetung terus ke kota Turiyyan dari hala kuala Sungai Brantas.
Ketiga ketumbukan lalu serentak menuju Istana Keraton Watu Galuh, tempat bersemayamnya Sri Dharmavamsa Tguh Ananta Vikrama, raja Medang Mataram. Tempik perang mereka bergema semakin lantang di pinggir kota Mataram.
Tiba-tiba … Bedebum! Gedegang! Bedebus! Gedegum! Bedebab! Pelepum! Bunyi ledakan terdengar dari arah pergunungan. Setiap bunyi ledakan disusuli dengan semarak lidah api raksaksa yang menjilat dan menelan segala barang apa yang boleh menyala di hadapannya.
“Fiewww!” Sebuah siulan nyaring terbit dari bibir Panglima Shankara, tanda kagum. “Itu pasti kerja Panglima Shakranta,” ujarnya kepada pengikut-pengikutnya. “Dia gemar benar bermain dengan debu mesiu dan habuk belirang.”
Habuk dan debu berhambur bertabur, lantas berkepul-kepul di udara. Bongkah batu-batan yang merah menyala bergolek turun perlahan dari arah puncak gunung, beransur-ansur bergolek meniti lereng gunung, hingga ke kaki gunung. Tiba-tiba kedengaran suara seseorang orang memekik melaung.
“Gunung berapi meletup lagi!!!” seorang lelaki berteriak lantang. “Laharnya akan muntah memancut-mancut sebentar lagi!!!”
“Lari!!! Lari!!!” seorang rakannya bertempik nyaring. “Jangan berlengah lagi!!! Ayuh kawan-kawanku!!! Lari segera!!!”
“Sekarang baru letupan kecil-kecilan!!!” jerit seorang lagi. “Peringkat permulaan!!! Ia akan semakin membesar!!! Selamatkan nyawa kalian dan kaum keluarga kalian sebelum terlewat!!!”
Bunyi berdentum-dentam dari arah kawasan pergunungan terus kedengaran. Semakin lama semakin nyaring bunyinya.
Penduduk desa dari sekitar kawasan kaki pergunungan mula berlari kesana-sini saling maklum-memaklumkan di antara mereka. Yang baru mendapat tahu memberitahu yang belum. Yang kelapangan menyampaikan segera kepada yang sedang asyik kerana menjalankan tugas. Mereka semua kemudiannya lari bertempiaran meninggalkan rumah mereka membawa bersama isteri serta anak-anak mereka. Yang kecil sekali dipaut bertenggek diatas tengkuk. Yang besar sedikit didukung di pinggang. Yang lebih besar lagi dipimpin di tangan.
Semuanya lintang-pukang menyeberangi Dataran Kedu, meluru menyerbu ke arah Lembah Sungai Brantas, lalu secara kebetulan menghala ke tempat berlangsungnya majlis kenduri pernikahan di raja di Istana Watu Galuh di Kota Turiyyan. Seluruh persekitaran bermula dari kaki pergunungan menjadi hiruk-pikuk, kelam-kabut dan porak peranda, keadaan demikian semakin lama semakin merebak ke hala kota dan lembah sungai.
Orang-orang di Istana Keraton Watu Galuh tiba-tiba tergamam. Mereka tidak pernah mendengar bunyi letupan senyaring itu sepanjang hayat mereka. Mahupun semarak lidah api sebesar itu. Mereka hanya pernah mendengar kisah dongeng tentangnya daripada cerita orang tua-tua. Memang kini mereka yakin bahawa Gunung Merapi meledak lagi. Maka keadaan merekapun turut serta menjadi tak keruan. Kejadian tidak dijangka di tengah-tengah suasana penuh kemeriahan kenduri perkahwinan diraja membuat kebanyakan daripada mereka detik demi detik semakin hilang pedoman.
§ § § § § § § § § § § § §
Malam itu api membakar seluruh kota Mataram membuat suasana di seluruh kota itu terang benderang seperti siang. Di celah-celah lidah api yang sedang gelojoh menjilat Keraton Watugaluh seorang anak muda yang agus rupa parasnya memimpin tangan seorang gadis jelita bergegas-gegas keluar dari pekarangan istana keraton. Mereka diiringi oleh seorang pengawal bertubuh sasa. Mara Vijaya, Shankara dan Shakranta lantas membidik panah masing-masing ke arah setiap seorang daripada mereka.
“Kamu bertiga!!! Berhenti!!!,” Mara Vijaya bertempik lantang. “Jangan bergerak lagi … dan campak segala senjata yang ada pada tubuh kalian ke tanah. Perlahan-lahan. Usahlah terfikirkan langsung sebarang tipu muslihat. Atau panah berbisa kami akan menyinggahi tubuh kalian. Menghabiskan riwayat kalian saat ini juga.”
Ketiga pelarian itu lantas tersentak dan terpaku kaku seperti patung sahaja gayanya. Si gadis mendadak lantang kembali suara tangisnya. Tadi tersedu-sedan, kini terlolong-lolong. Hiba yang sedia meruntun jiwanya kini dihunjam ngeri pula. Bulu roma halus di tengkuknya meremang dan seluruh tubuhnya mula menggigil. Temannya serta pengawal mereka berdua masing-masing mencampakkan senjata mereka perlahan-lahan ke tanah … tepat mengikut perintah … hati resah gelisah … namun kini hanya mampu pasrah …
“Siapa kamu?” tengking Mara Vijaya kepada anak muda itu. “Dan siapakah teman-temanmu yang dua lagi ini?”
“Ha … hamba … Airlangga, Tuan,” jawab anak muda itu. Dia kelihatan gugup dan gementar. “Pu … Putera … kepada Raja Udayana dan Permaisuri Mahendradatta. Ke … kemenakan kepada Raja Tguh Dharmavamsa. Gadis ini … is … isteri hamba … Dyah Sri Lakshmi. Dia … pu … puteri kepada … Tguh Dharmavamsa. Kami … baru saja … ber … bernikah … pe … petang tadi. Dan … ini … pe … pengawal hamba … Narothama.”
“Shankara! Shakranta!” Sri Mara Vijaya menoleh ke arah dua panglima itu. Wajahnya kini bengis seperti harimau lapar. “Apa yang terbaik yang harus kita lakukan?”
“Bunuh saja mereka, Tuanku” jawab Shankara dengan tegas tetapi tenang. Pedangnya terhayun-hayun di tangan kanannya. “Kalau tidak sudah pasti salah seorang daripada mereka ataupun zuriat mereka akan merancang balas dendam terhadap Palembang mahupun Wurawari satu hari nanti. Ini adalah lumrah alam … sekaligus … lumrah pahlawan.”
“Dan kamu, Shakranta,” sambung Sri Mara Vijaya menoleh semula ke arah Shakranta. “Apa pula pendapatmu?”
“Ampun Kita, Tuanku,” balas Shakranta sambil terkenang kembali detik-detik manis pernikahannya sendiri dengan Isabelle semusim yang lalu yang masih segar dalam ingatannya, seperti baru semalam ia berlaku. “Sembah Kita harap diampun. Bukannya Kita berhasrat merumitkan keadaan. Akan tetapi … jika mengikut adat di negeri Kita … dikira tidak baik kalau menganiaya pengantin pada hari pernikahan.”
“Bagaimana pula tentang masa hadapan? Tidakkah cara sebegitu bakal menimbulkan masaalah nanti?”
“Soal apa yang bakal terjadi di hari muka … itu terpulang kepada ketentuan … ia di luar kawalan kita. Kalaupun mereka sebagai pewaris kerajaan Mataram kita hapuskan serta merta … apakah dapat kita pastikan bahawa tiada pihak lain dari Pulau Jawa ini … yang akan mengancam Palembang Srivijaya … mahupun Wura Wari … di masa mendatang?
“Ummm, ada betulnya juga pemerhatianmu itu,” ujar Mara Vijaya.
“Biarkanlah saja mereka pergi … Tuanku Maharaja. Fikir Kita … mustahil mereka berdua yang masih muda belia ini, bersama pengawal mereka yang seorang ini, akan dapat … mengancam Palembang … mahupun Wura Wari … dalam waktu terhampir ini. Namun … demi kepastian … dan agar sebarang keputusan yang dibuat tidak disesali … Kita cadangkan mereka dibelenggu dulu sepanjang malam ini. Sama ada hendak dibunuh atau dibebaskan … boleh diputuskan esok hari. Tidak perlu tergesa-gesa. Kerana … walau apapun yang diputuskan … bakal mencorak sejarah seluruh Pulau Jawa hingga berabad-abad ke kemudian hari. Begitupun … itu hanyalah … sekadar pandangan Kita. Ampun, Tuanku.”
“Bagus!” ujar Sri Mara Vijaya. “Satu pertimbangan yang terperinci. Hulubalang! Rantai mereka bertiga!”
§ § § § § § § § § § § § §
Keesokan harinya, debu perang mula bermendapan, setelah dibasahi hujan gerimis awal pagi. Tiga tawanan itu diberi makan secukupnya, seterusnya dibebaskan. Maka merekapun segeralah beredar. Takutnya mereka kiranya Maharaja Mara Vijaya tiba-tiba berubah hati. Sekejap berjalan, sekejap berlari, berjalan semula apabila keletihan, hingga akhirnya sampailah mereka ke pinggir hutan Vana Giri.
Lalu merekapun terus tinggal menetap di hutan Vana Giri, hidup di kalangan para petapa sekian lama. Maka kehidupan harian mereka, atau makan minum mereka, mahupun pakaian mereka, sekadar menyamai para petapa itu seperti seadanya.
“Kita sudah alah berperang. Tiada lagi pertempuran akan berlaku di antara Mataram dan Palembang … sekurang-kurangnya dalam waktu terdekat ini. Namun janganlah kita semua orang Mataram berputus asa. Biarlah kita kini berusaha memperoleh kemenangan dalam kedamaian.” Demikian nasihat Naruthama … kepada Air Langga dan Dyah Sri Lakshmi yang saban hari bermenung murung.
Maka Airlanggapun bersumpahlah, kiranya dia mendapat kembali takhtanya, akan membina sebuah ashram di tengah-tengah hutan Vana Giri itu.
1035 menaiki takhta sebagai raja Medang Kahuripan. 1042 turun takhta dan meninggalkan Medang Kahuripan kepada dua puteranya. Sempadan Jenggala dan Kediri ditetapkan oleh pendita Bharada.
§
Rajendra raged like an angry beast on hearing the news of Mataram’s destruction by Palembang.
“Aditya!!!” he screamed at his Chief Commander. “I want Mara Vijaya’s head! Make preparations for a large invasion. Palembang must be taught a lesson. Or, pretty soon, they might start getting even more dangerous ideas.”
“I understand. Consider it done, Your Majesty. I shall get ready 300 ships. That should be enough for Palembang.”
“Did you hear what I just said? Or do you still insist on remaining an idiot? I said that Palembang must be taught a lesson. When I say ‘a lesson’, I mean just that. A big, bloody lesson. Get ready at least a thousand ships. We’ll hit not only Palembang, but all of its federated ally kingdoms in Suvarna Dvipa. The Golden Islands shall burn big and bright from the fire of Chola Mandalam.”
“I’m very sorry, Your Majesty,” Aditya apologised immediately. “Please forgive me, for underestimating the gravity of the situation. I shall carry out your orders as you wish.”
“Yes! It is a grave situation, indeed. For Chola Mandalam. As well as for the entire Hindu realm. Apparently, this is something beyond you to grasp. If Mahmud of Ghazna succeeds in entrenching his Muslim empire in northern Hindustan, and encroaches any further southwards, and if the Buddhist kingdoms in Suvarna Dvipa and Suvarna Bhumi are all smart enough to ally with him, our Hindu realm is as good as encircled. Knowing Mahmud, he might already have sent his legion of maulanas there to preach the Islamic faith to them. And, in case your lame brain has suddenly malfunctioned again, we already have our hands full with our near neighbours Pandya, Western Chalukya and Hoysala. Leave alone Singhala Nagara and Bhangala. The only way for Chola Mandalam to survive and thrive is as a fierce tiger. Anything less than that, we’re dead meat.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Your sharpness and foresight is well known throughout all of Hindustan. Now I understand why.”
“How soon can we get our ships and soldiers ready?”
“For such a large fleet, Your Majesty, and if we’re to sail to Suvarna Dvipa with a crushing victory in mind, we’d need about a year to prepare.”
“Fine! Just make sure you get it done. And better get it done bloody good. Or I’ll have your head on a plate, Commander.”
§
Rajendra’s massive attack on Palembang was met by the best forces of the Srivijayan Federation that Maharaja Mara Vijaya could muster. But it was a surprise attack, and Mara Vijaya did not have the time to organise a proper defence. Let alone to seek additional help from federated ally kingdoms. Like he did the previous year, when Palembang itself was the initiator of the attack on Medang Mataram.
Mara Vijaya himself was seriously injured in the battle in Palembang against Rajendra’s Chola Mandalam forces, a wild spear in the heat of battle catching him in the shoulder. In his younger days, Mara Vijaya’s robust constitution would have enabled his body to shake off the effects within several weeks at most. But now, the ravages of age and numerous bruising battles had caught up with him. His wounds had turned septic, and he eventually succumbed to his injuries several months later, early the following year. His young son, the precocious Sang Rama, ascended the throne of Palembang Srivijaya as Sang Rama Vijaya Thunga Varman.
On the advice of his strategists, Sang Rama had another grand palace built for him in Kedah Negara, Srivijaya’s provincial capital in the north western part of the Malay Peninsula. Kedah Negara had by then eclipsed Palembang as the chief commercial and trade centre of the sprawling Srivijayan realm. Its naturally well sheltered seaport, at the river mouth of the Merbok River, had become preferred over that of the Palembang river port, the waters around which had become increasingly infested with pirates. Palembang, however, still kept its pride of place as the political centre of the sprawling Srivijayan Federation.
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