Padmasana (shrine)

Padmasana is a towering main shrine (Balinese: palinggih) crowned with an empty throne to worship Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, a manifestation of Supreme God in Hindu Balinese belief. The term padmasana was derived from Sanskrit term which means lotus throne.[1]

The padmasana main shrine of Pura Agung Jagatnatha in Denpasar, Bali.

Padmasana towering shrine is located in Utama Mandala the most sacred realm within Balinese temple compound, and usually become the focal point of worship for sembahyang ritual in Hindu Balinese belief.

Etymology

Padmasana is a Kawi (Old Javanese) word which originally derived from Sanskrit. Padma means "lotus flower" or "center", and asana means "being seated" or "guidance" or "advice". The lotus flower is a symbol of the seat of deities, commonly found in Hindu-Buddhist art. Therefore, the padmasana is the depiction of the universe (macrocosm) which is the stana (abode or resting place) of the God.[2]

Symbolism
Gilded image of Acintya on top of Padmasana tower

The Padmasana is described in the lontar scripture Dwijendra Tattwa, written by Dang Hyang Nirartha, the last major reformer of the Shiva-Buddha religion, who arrived in Bali from Java after the fall of the Majapahit empire.[2] Dang Hyang Nirartha established and introduced the padmasana structure as a shrine to worship the supreme God (Parama Shiva) in Bali in the 16th century.

Padmasana is a symbol of the macrocosm or universe (Balinese: Bhuana Agung), which depicted as the towering throne (Balinese: stana) of the supreme God Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa.[1] Padmasana actually contains the concept of the balance of the universe. It consists of three main parts, namely tepas (base), batur (body), and sancak (top). This division is closely related to the description of the universe as a macrocosm.[3]

Padmasana contains rich Hindu symbolism, including the sculpture of Bedawang Nala; a mythical turtle that believed supporting the world in Hindu cosmology at its base, and also the sculpture of two sacred Nagas; Anantaboga and Basuki.[2]

According to Balinese mythology, the Bedawang Nala movements could cause the earth to shake violently, which is the indigenous way to explain the earthquake phenomena. Likewise, if the Anantaboga dragon wags its tail, it can shook the earth. It is believed that Bedawang Nala is the symbol of magma in the bowels of the earth, while Anantabhoga is the ground. Meanwhile, the Basuki dragon is symbolising the water in the ocean. Therefore it is depicted that the two nagas; Anantaboga and Basuki tied the Bedawang Nala turtle secure to insure the stability and the balance of the world.[3]

The top of padmasana structure is crowned with an empty throne, often decorated with a gilded image of Acintya or a Hindu symbol of Swastika.

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Padmasana (shrine).

References
  1. Anak Agung Seri Kusniarti. "Mengenal Padmasana dan Berbagai Jenisnya dalam Hindu di Bali". Tribun-bali.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  2. "The Metaphysics of Padmasana Shrines". Indosphere. 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  3. Arcana, Putu Fajar (2022-12-07). "Mengikat Dasar Bumi dengan Dua Naga". kompas.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2023-04-19.

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