The Pandava

Five famous brothers from epic story Mahabharata

Punto Dewo (1986/1989) by SukarmanUnit Pengelola Museum Seni

Javanese version of Pandava (Pandawa)

In the Mahabharata, a Hindu epic text, the Pandava are the five sons of Prabu Pandu Dewanata who one reigns kingdom of Hastinapura.  

Bima Sena (2009) by SukarmanUnit Pengelola Museum Seni

At one point, King Pandu left the kingdom to live as an ascetic to redeem his past sins and leave his wife, five sons and the kingdom to his brother Dretarastra.

Raden Arjuna (1917) by Ngabean FamilyUnit Pengelola Museum Seni

The kingdom was left by King Pandu to his brother Dretarastra with a message that when his five sons grew up, the kingdom will be handed over to them. Dretrastra himself has 99 sons of his own who is called the Kurawa.

Nakula (1986/1989) by SukarmanUnit Pengelola Museum Seni

Over the years Dresastra and his sons of Kurawa lead by Duryudana grew greedy over power and kept trying to get rid of the Pandavas. However each of the Pandavas has superior power, surpassing their 99 cousins. 

Sadewo (1986/1989) by SukarmanUnit Pengelola Museum Seni

The series of arguments and rivalry grew sharper over the years and turned into a great war called Bharatayuda War (Kurukshetra War).

The war between family of Pandava and Kurawa is said to last for 18 days. Despite loosing in number, in the end the Pandava won the war. 

Nakula (1986/1989) by SukarmanUnit Pengelola Museum Seni

The text was adapted in Javanese wayang puppet and the Pandawas are named Puntodewo (Yudhistira) , Werkudoro (Bhima), Arjuna, Nakula and Sadewo.

Punto Dewo (1986/1989) by SukarmanUnit Pengelola Museum Seni

The Pandavas in Javanese Wayang

The first child is called Punto Dewo or Yudistira 

He is the eldest of the brothers and incarnation of Bathara Darma. His character is patient, fair and honest. He never gets angry. Some says his blood is white. He is very good at playing chess.

Bima Sena (2009) by SukarmanUnit Pengelola Museum Seni

Bimasena ( Bima )

Bima's birth took a while and required help of an elephant. He was imprisoned by a constricting placenta until and elephant comes and helps him released.

Bima is second child. He is known for being brave, strong willed, obedient and honest. He appears as a hero with strength, courage and righteousness.

Raden Arjuna (1917) by Ngabean FamilyUnit Pengelola Museum Seni

Arjuna

Arjuna is the middle child of the brothers. He likes to travel, meditate and and avid student.


He is known to be very handsome and pursued by many women.

He is clever, quiet, diligent, well mannered, brave and protects the weak. 

Nakula (1986/1989) by SukarmanUnit Pengelola Museum Seni

Nakula and Sadewa were born twins

and the youngest of the Pandava brothers. This is Nakula.

Sadewo (1986/1989) by SukarmanUnit Pengelola Museum Seni

This is Sadewa. How can you tell the difference ?

Nakula (1986/1989) by SukarmanUnit Pengelola Museum Seni

The twins are differentiated on their forehead

The twins are differentiated on their forehead. Nakula has two small red curve marks. 

Sadewo (1986/1989) by SukarmanUnit Pengelola Museum Seni

Sadewa has three red marks.

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