 | This article may be
confusing or unclear to readers. (January 2015) |
| Brahala | |
|---|---|
 The God Vishnu (Wisnu) transforms into a Brahala |
Brahala is a big, scary giant of Indonesian mythology, the transformation of the God Vishnu while Vishnu's descendants perform the triwikrama ritual. [1] [2] In the arts of Indonesian shadow puppetry, Brahala is portrayed as a mountain-sized giant with a thousand heads and arms, each holding various kinds of weapons. [3] described as having big frightening eyes. Brahala's name comes from the Javanese terms "Brah" and "Ala" meaning "scary face". [3]
Among Vishnu's descendants, Krishna and Arjuna are the ones who often do the triwikrama ritual. [4] Some shadow puppeteers in the Purwa version often call Brahala " Brahala Sewu", especially if the ritual is done by Krishna. Puntdewa and Yudhishthira, while transformed into a Brahala, are called the Amral God. [4] Among the group of shadow puppets, Brahala is placed in the last place of the back row, behind the other puppets. [4] This shadow puppet character is told as being the transformation of holy characters and it is drawn out to perform when the character is doing a triwikrama ritual while being angry. [5] Many shadow puppet craftsmen illustrate Brahala as a big and scary giant. [4]
- ^ "Brahala". Simon Fraser University. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ^ "Brahala". Museumkeris. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ^ a b "Brahala". Tembi.org. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ^ a b c d Tim Penulis SENA WANGI (1999). Ensiklopedi Wayang Indonesia. Yogyakarta: SENA WANGI. p. 324,326.
- ^ "Brahala". wayangkulit.org. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.