Tragic Drama of Dead Rats in Rice Barn
Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
Death in a state of suffering and death in a state of joy are just a thin line in the depths of the heart that is inseparable from one soul. Both paradoxes remain in one spiritual frame that is overflowing. The same is true of true loyalty, it will never shift due to the provocation of a greedy and inconsistent mind. That is why, the congregation or followers to members of an organization including political parties, are not only unfaithful, but also no less betray or deny the bonds of agreement that have been written or unwritten.
Because that loyalty must also be maintained, guarded from various possible erosions that occur, both from the internal chamber and those that come from the other side as a form of effort to seize a more strategic and profitable position, even though it will be very detrimental to others. This means, like from understanding death itself, it must be maintained properly so that it can continue to provide happiness, such as ending the obligation to be responsible for the consequences of life and life itself which is mandatory and must be played.
The Ismaya Book as part of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Archipelago refers to the mythology of Batara Ismaya who is often understood as the figure of Semar in the puppet story in Indonesia
The figure of Batara Ismaya in Javanese mythology is the older brother of Batara Guru — the leader of the gods — in the puppet story Batara Ismaya transformed into Semar, a wise and humble punakawan figure, as well as being the caretaker and advisor to the knights of the Pandawa. The figure of Semar in the puppet story is a symbol of a wise, simple attitude and close to the lives of the common people.
Spiritual teachings and philosophy of life are the core of the content of the Ismaya book which is not written, but is eternal in memory and becomes a guide to life. Like the concept of “Jamus Kalimantan Sada” which is believed to be a legacy of the teachings of the ancestors of the Archipelago, known as “Kaweruh Trisila Wedha” which contains the basic characteristics of humans to achieve harmony in life, so it is not pleasure or joy that is opposed to hardship or sadness until the moment of death comes for every living creature.
Death itself as a mystery must be addressed with a belief that can only be produced by the spirituality of every human being to utilize it as a potential for oneself in facing even the most critical situations such as when death comes.
So the harmony of life that needs to be achieved is like building an orchestra that is harmonious and harmonious, so as not to torture the Soul in enjoying whatever is there as sustenance and blessings that should be appreciated as they are. Thus, greedy and avaricious attitudes do not need to occur – let alone be maintained – to the point of being able to violate the property rights of others. So that is the essence of a simple, modest, humble or ugahari life – as the core of the spiritual content that needs to be brought along to meet God.
Only then, death in poverty and misery does not need to be the main issue that must be questioned. After all, in the end death itself only needs 1 foot two meters of land that can be immersed at the deepest depth, if you believe that in that way the soul can be closer to God. Then in this simplest process of death, why is it so eager to collect a pile of abundant wealth and riches?
Moreover, the way to obtain all that wealth has hurt the hearts of millions of people or all the people of a rich country, but its citizens are actually made poor. So who should and must bear the sins of the actions that have made many people poor and hungry just to survive so as not to die in the tragedy of the human drama in this mythical gemah ripah loh jinawi country?
Banten, June 8, 2025
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