Bedawang Nala

Bedawang Nala is a mythological figure visualized in the form of a turtle. In general, the representation of Bedawang in art and ornamentation is manifested in two forms, namely theriomorphic and therio-anthropomorphic. Theriomorphic is the energy of God depicted in the form of an animal. While Therio-Anthropomorphic is the energy of God depicted in the form of half animal and half human. The term Bedawang Nala comes from the Sanskrit language 'vadava,' vadaba ', 'badava' or 'badaba' which means a stallion that resembles a mare, then also means a female horse. The term Bedawang Nala is closely related to Vadavamukha or Vadavanala in Hindu mythology. This term is a term for the head of a fiery mare found on the seabed. This horse's head is often referred to as the Submarine Mare's Head Fire. The concept of a giant turtle named Bedawang Nala also has a strong connection with people's beliefs about the process of natural earthquakes. In Javanese and Balinese mythology, it is depicted that a giant turtle supports an island on its back. If the giant turtle moves, an earthquake will occur. In Korawasrama there is a sentence 'Nusa yawa kasangga de badawang nala ...' (Java Island is supported by Badawang Nala ...). In the puppet story, Bedawang Nala is a priest from the Gisik Samodra or Eka Pratala hermitage and lives in the Wailu river. He has the Cupu Manik Astagina and Cupu Tirta Manik which contain the water of life. Bedawang Nala has extraordinary supernatural powers, he is able to make an island fall apart with just one blow. The concept of Bedawang Nala as a symbol of the earth's plates or magma that causes earthquakes is very relevant to the conditions of the islands of Java and Bali as part of the Nusantara archipelago which is quite prone to earthquakes and other volcanic events. This is a consequence of the Nusantara region being in the ring of fire or an area that is at the meeting point of the earth's plates.