Batara Kala

It is good to know some of folktales our country has. This is one of the legends that is commonly told in Java. People in some villages in Java believe that in eclipse happens when the sun or the moon in swallowed by Batara Kala, an evil giant. The story says that although Batara kala is not one of the gods in heaven, he is very powerful.

One day Batara Wisnu (god, the protector) distributed the “ Tirta Amerta Sari” or the drink of the gods. Anyone who drank from it would never die. Batara Kala wanted to have some, too, so he tried to cheat by taking the form of a god. Batara Surya (the sun god ) and Batari Candra ( the moon goddess), however, knew of this trick and told Batara Wisnu about it. When Batara Kala’s turn came to receive the drink, Batara Wisnu shot him from a distance with his famous weapon, ‘the Cakra’ and it cut his head off. Some of the drink, however spilled over Batara Kala’s head and this made his head live forever. From then on Batara kala has continued to live without his body.

Batara Kala was very angry with Batara Surya and Batari Chandra and tried to eat them, but the god and goddess escaped. Batara Kala got angrier and from that time on he has never stopped chassing them. Batara Wisnu wanted to protect the god and goddess and ordered the people on earth to make a lot of noise whenever there is an eclipse. The noise would help Batara Surya and Batari Chandra to escape from Batara Kala’s throat. To this day people beat objects like grinders when they see an eclipse. They stay in their houses and pregnant women are told to hide under their beds in order to avoid Batara Kala’s anger 

Answer these questions based on the text!

1. Why are people in villages afraid of Batara Kala?
2. According to the story, how could the gods in heaven make themselves live forever?
3. Why was Batara Kala angry with Batara Surya and Batari Chandra?
4. What did Batara Wisnu do to Batara Kala?
5. How could Batara Kala’s head live forever?
6. What is ‘the Cakra’?
7. Was Batara Kala able to catch Batara Surya and Batari Candra?
8. What happens when Batara Kala catches Batara Surya or Batari Chandra?
9. Why do some of the village people make a lot of noise when there is an eclipse?
10. Is a legend a true story?