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Manuscript Production and Akṣara Mysticism in the Bhīma Svarga

Abstract

NSC Working Paper No. 26 International audience As in other parts of Asia, the figure of Bhīma was made the subject of cult worship in Java. The popularity of this character is documented in numerous archaeological remains, such as inscriptions, statues, and reliefs, as well as textual documents that have Bhīma as the main character. The appearance of Bhīma as the main character in various texts, such as the Navaruci, Deva Ruci, and Bhīma Svarga, often pertained to his role as a semi-divine warrior figure who was able to master the true essence of all esoteric knowledge (Tattvajñāna). The text that we will discuss, the Bhīma Svarga, is one of many existing versions of this tale, and may be the oldest one. Written before the 16th century, this text has never been satisfactorily investigated. This text includes a dialogue between Bhaṭāra Guru and Bhīma, who wishes to save his father, Pāṇḍu, from hell. All the questions from Bhaṭāra Guru are answered perfectly. It is Bhīma’s responses that have become the core essence of the text, which consist of the doctrines of Śaivism and its rich cosmological and philosophical elements. In this article, I will introduce the manuscript sources containing the text of the Bhīma Svarga from a West Javanese scriptorium, whose connection to the Balinese manuscript tradition of the Bhīma Svarga has been ignored thus far. I will also examine in particular the sections of the manuscript that will give valuable insights for codicologists specialising in Nusantara manuscripts. These sections are those pertaining to manuscript production and ‘akṣara mysticism’. The data in the text explain how manuscripts were produced and the significance of akṣara during that period.

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