Dewi Tara dan Samaratungga

Samaratungga's daily struggle

To finish his father's temple

The Merapi in the distance rumbled

Work went on, his loyal people

For the Sailendra, time was running out

His people peace loving, were weakened

The Sanjaya was impatient and proud

They wished to conquer the island

Yet across the islands, in Srivijaya

In Dharmasetu's kingdom

The kraton guarded a lovely flower

Dewi Tara, his beautiful princess

Headstrong and wise was she

Named after the Goddess, a star

She heard of the pious prince

And fell in love with Samaratungga

From Palembang with entourage she traveled

Across the straits, through the island, Java

Messengers raced ahead, and the prince waited

For her to arrive in beautiful Sailendra

It was love at first sight for the two

As he took her hand, she smiled in secret

Sailendra and Srivijaya together ruled

And Sanjaya was forced to remain quiet

For a while...

For my version of the full story, continue here.

Copyright 2010 © ninotaziz.
All rights reserved.

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This poem was written specially for Magpie tales - a beautiful place to be

In ancient times, throughout the Nusantara, marriages between the royal houses were the best way to secure alliances. Between Sailendra, Srivijaya, then later Majapahit, Melaka and Langkasuka, princesses and princes travelled back and forth to buy peace. At the same time, culture, language and way of life meshed to create a beautiful heritage.