In Reply to: Hold On Here a Bit! posted by Barong Naga on Saturday, 24. July 2004 at 09:14 Bali Time:
Hello B.N. & other readers,
Thank you for your explanation Barong Naga. Allow me to add the following regarding Galungan and Kuningan:
In the ethymological sense the word 'galungan' means 'warfare'. The Sundanese language uses the word 'galungan' to express 'making war'.
In this respect the Galungan festival could (should?) be interpreted as a symbol of war against adharma (un-truth), in favor of dharma (truth) ofcourse.
The aim of establishing dharma is to realize the physical and mental prosperity of all living creatures.
Three days before Galungan the Balinese Devil (Sang Kala Tiga) will visit the earthly plane three times, in order to tempt people towards adharma.
His first visit is as Sang Bhuta Galungan (on Redite Paing, 3 days before Galungan), the second time he comes as Sang Bhuta Dungulan (on Soma Pon, two days before Galungan) and the third time as Sang Bhuta Amangkurat(on Anggara Wage, one day befor Galungan). These 'visits' are ofcourse symbolic and it represents the struggle of life. The symbolism is supposed to remind people to protect themselves against the temptations of adharma.
Kuningan is celebrated ten days after Galungan. On this day people make offerings to God to express their gratefulness for God's creation, and they pray to God and their ancestors for prosperity of the earth, for all living creatures, and for guidance to a true prosperous life (dharma).
Hence both Galungan and Kuningan Festival days represent the true life of human beings because Galungan means the struggle of life based on truth or dharma, while Kuningan means God's blessings to all creation including human beings in the form of safety, peace, and prosperity.
regards,
Taksu