English
In Girah Village, there lived a powerful widow named Calon Arang. She was a devout follower of Goddess Durga who mastered high-level black magic. Calon Arang had a stunningly beautiful daughter named Ratna Manggali. However, that beauty seemed overshadowed by her mother's reputation; no young man dared to propose to the princess for fear of Calon Arang's magical powers. This ignited great fury in the widow's heart, as she felt her family's dignity had been insulted by the villagers.
**Plague and Death**
As a form of revenge, Calon Arang cast a curse at the cemetery in a gruesome ritual. Soon after, a plague (pagebluk) struck the Kingdom of Kahuripan. People died in droves within a short time, and no medicine was able to stem the tide of death. A terrifying atmosphere enveloped the land until the sorrowful news reached the ears of King Airlangga.
**Empu Bharada's Strategy**
King Airlangga, deeply concerned, sought help from a powerful priest, Empu Bharada. The Empu realized that Calon Arang's strength came from a secret book. He devised a clever plan by sending his disciple, Empu Bahula, to propose to Ratna Manggali. Calon Arang welcomed the proposal. After officially becoming part of the family, Empu Bahula managed to find the hiding place of his mother-in-law's Magic Book and immediately handed it over to Empu Bharada.
**The Final Battle**
After studying Calon Arang's weaknesses through the book, Empu Bharada went to Girah Village. He tried to persuade the widow to repent and purify herself, but the enraged Calon Arang instead challenged the priest to a fight. A fierce battle ensued; Calon Arang transformed into the terrifying figure of Rangda. Despite possessing extraordinary strength, Calon Arang was eventually defeated. Before she passed away, Empu Bharada purified the widow's soul so that she could find peace in the afterlife.
**Cultural Symbolism**
To this day, this story lives on in Balinese tradition through the Barong and Rangda dances, which depict the eternal battle between Dharma (virtue) and Adharma (evil).
**Plague and Death**
As a form of revenge, Calon Arang cast a curse at the cemetery in a gruesome ritual. Soon after, a plague (pagebluk) struck the Kingdom of Kahuripan. People died in droves within a short time, and no medicine was able to stem the tide of death. A terrifying atmosphere enveloped the land until the sorrowful news reached the ears of King Airlangga.
**Empu Bharada's Strategy**
King Airlangga, deeply concerned, sought help from a powerful priest, Empu Bharada. The Empu realized that Calon Arang's strength came from a secret book. He devised a clever plan by sending his disciple, Empu Bahula, to propose to Ratna Manggali. Calon Arang welcomed the proposal. After officially becoming part of the family, Empu Bahula managed to find the hiding place of his mother-in-law's Magic Book and immediately handed it over to Empu Bharada.
**The Final Battle**
After studying Calon Arang's weaknesses through the book, Empu Bharada went to Girah Village. He tried to persuade the widow to repent and purify herself, but the enraged Calon Arang instead challenged the priest to a fight. A fierce battle ensued; Calon Arang transformed into the terrifying figure of Rangda. Despite possessing extraordinary strength, Calon Arang was eventually defeated. Before she passed away, Empu Bharada purified the widow's soul so that she could find peace in the afterlife.
**Cultural Symbolism**
To this day, this story lives on in Balinese tradition through the Barong and Rangda dances, which depict the eternal battle between Dharma (virtue) and Adharma (evil).