0 Sapuh Leger: Eliminating misfortune

The Balinese people strongly believe that every single day brings its own fortune. This, of course, means there are both fortunate and unfortunate days that affect their lives. Thus, being born on one of the so-called unfortunate days could result in a life of troubled times. Within Balinese society, people’s fortune is believed to be predictablebased on the day they were born, according to the wuku, a seven-dayperiod based on the Balinese lunar calendar system, which has 30 different wuku that form a cycle of 210 days. 

Those who were born on wukuwayangare, in particular, are believed to have a life overshadowed by bad luck. But not to worry, the Balinese believe in many rituals, including those that have the power to ward off negative elements. Sapuh Leger is a balancing and purification ritual with the purpose of eliminating negative forces that could be hanging around waiting to cause trouble in a person’s life. Last Saturday in Denpasar, 595 people participated in the Sapuh Leger ritual to eliminate misfortune. 

The ritual was organized by one of the island’s clans,Maha Gotra Pasek Sanak Sapta Rsi (MGPSSR) in North Denpasar. Witnessed by family members, participants started the ritual, overseen by seven Hindu high priests, with a procession carrying sticks on their shoulders called mategen-tegen, ensuring they encircled the venue three times. Participants were limited to those born on wuku wayang and those who had lost a sibling. Sananempeg, literally meaning “fragile stick”, is the term used for an individual who has lost a brother or sister. 

“Whether it is true or not, people who have lost their siblings actually suffer from psychological and emotional problems,” said Pasek Winastra, one of the organizers. After completing the procession, the temple priests lit incense in five clay bowls, while participants walked through the thick curtain of smoke produced from the burning incense, a symbolic gesture of purification by fire. The priests then sprinkled holy water on the participants and covered the participants’ heads with a cloth on which were written sacred letters. 

“The holy water was collected from 21 sacred water springs across the island,” Winastra explained. The climax of the ritual took place in front of the elevated stage. The participants prayed before the high priests and rows of sanctified wayang kulit, leather puppets. The wayang kulit are the central and unique element of the Sapuh Leger purification ritual. “Wayang is a symbol of the world. All things in the world can be clearly illustrated in wayang figures. 

There is goodness and wickedness and many other things could be defined by wayang,” Ida Pandita Mpu Wiswaruka Biru Dhaksa stated. He explained that Sapuh Leger could not automatically dispel misfortune. “It depends on their karma,” he insisted. Balinese are strong believers in the Hindu law of karma, which holds that one’s actions, good or bad, are sure to rebound upon their instigators in this life or the next. A 19-year-old, Ni Putu Juni Damayanti, felt lucky to get the rare chance to participate in the mass Sapuh Leger ritual. 

“If we hold the ritual by our self at home, we need at least Rp 20 million [US$2,100]. This mass ritual is helpful,” she said. To participate in the ritual, Damayanti, as with the majority of other participants, only paid Rp 500,000. Pasek Winastra explained that the mass ritual was held on every Tumpek Wayang day, or once every 210 days, to help Balinese Hindu devotees participate in the ceremony without being financially burdened. Those from low-income families wishing to take part are supported by the organizers. 

“Some participants took part in the ritual for free. That’s what MPGSRR is for. To help people,” Winastra said. The participants were not only members of the Pasek clan; several participants were members of the upper castes of Brahmana, Ksatriya and Wesya. Hindu foreign nationals also participated in the recent ritual.

source : bali daily