Appendix II - Classic Sloka
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 November 2020
Summary
The legal sloka considered in this work are ‘classic’ in the sense of ‘remarkably typical: outstandingly important’. Frequency of occurrence and usefulness in clarifying the sloka phenomena of the Independent Kingdoms era provide the criteria. In this respect some two dozen sloka are particularly relevant to the present study. They come from the Jugul Muda, Jaya Lengkara, and Surya Alam, plus those found in related ‘minor titles’, all cited as sources of the 1768 Pepakem Tjerbon. The twenty-four chosen for further consideration may seem an inadequate representation of even legal sloka. They contrast with some fifteen-hundred sloka and sloka-like phrases contained in Javaansche Zamenspraken. In defence it can be pointed out that the present work is a study of their function as examples of a code rather than the entire body of such phrases. Consequently, their number suffices to establish the importance of the sloka phenomena as tools for delving into the vast number of sloka-phrases, legal and non-legal, contained in the Javanese manuscripts.
At the outset it should be noted that attempts at consistency in the organization of this appendix are thwarted by the contrast in available and comprehensible information concerning individual sloka. Here they are ordered after their appearance in respectively the Jugul Muda (nos. 1-13), Jaya Lengkara (nos. 14-22), and Surya Alam (nos. 23-24), although they are repeated in the other titles. For ease of reference an appropriate name has been assigned to every sloka. Afterwards the sloka are cited in the most usual form and their source provided. This is followed by Translation (literal or literary) and references to Copies and Variations. The latter consist of both literal phrases from other titles and longer explanations. In instances where the title provides its own complementary explanation, this is recorded in my translation under the rubric Textual Explanation. Given the importance of Javaansche Zamenspraken the rubric ‘Interpretation of’ quotes when available Winter's contribution translated into English from the Javanese in ha-na-ca-ra-ka script. In many cases a Modern Translation is available which draws from one or more of contemporary Indonesian authors as Suwarno, Darmasoetjipta, Ngafenan, and Hariwijaya. In special cases, as no. 2, an Analysis added. More commonly such considerations are relegated to the specific chapters focusing on respective sloka phenomena.
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- Javanese Way of LawEarly Modern Sloka Phenomena, pp. 215 - 236Publisher: Amsterdam University PressPrint publication year: 2019