Serat Centhini is a Javanese literature that was originally written in Java language and writing in the form of Macapat song
(Javanese song). The book writing was started in 1814 and completed in 1823. The original book is manually written in Javanese characters.
Original book entitled Suluk Tambangraras was written blessing by KGPA Anom Amengkunagoro III, the son of Pakubuwono IV, King of Surakarta (1788 - 1820), who later succeeded the king as Pakubuwono V (1820 to 1823). While the writing and preparation carried out by:
1. Ki Ng. Ranggasutrasno, royal clerk
2. R. Ng. Yasadipura II, the royal poet
3. R. Ng. Sastradipura, the royal clerk
4. Prince Jungut Manduraja, royal officials of Klaten.
5. Kyai Kasan Besari, Great Scholars of Panaraga
6. Kyai Muhammad, Surakarta Palace Supreme Ulema.
Original book is still there in Sanapustaka Library inside Surakarta’s Palace. There are several copies in Reksapustaka Library in Mangkunegaran, Paheman Radya-Pustaka in Sriwedari Museum, Sana Budaya Museum in Yogyakarta, Elephant Museum in Jakarta, and perhaps also in other places.
This book consists of 12 (twelve) volumes with the total volumes amounted to around 3500 pages. Contains a kind of "Encyclopedia of
Javanese Culture" because it contains nearly all of the customs, legends, stories, and
knowledge were born in circulation among inner Javanese society in the period of 16-17'th century and many are still alive and sustainable up to this time .
I am writing these summaries and reviews based on transcribed Serat Centhini from the Javanese characters into Latin characters. However, it is still using Javanese language in form of Macapat song. The transcription consists of 12 (twelve) volumes. Transcription from Java characters into Latin characters done by Kamajaya, Chairman Centhini Foundation, Yogyakarta, published by the Centhini Foundation, 1991. Reference was also taken from the book Pustaka Centhini – Ikhtisar Seluruh Isinya (Summaries of all contents), by Ki Sumidi Adisasmita, Publisher UP Indonesia, Yogyakarta, in 1975.
Until now there has been no translation of Serat Centhini into Indonesian. It has been tried by the Centhini Foundation, but stopped only to volume 1. There may be financial difficulties, perhaps the time factor and its own difficulty level in term of language.
The content of Serat Centhini is very extra ordinary that includes many facets of Javanese culture. Basic story is the story of the escape of two sons and one daughter of Sunan Giri III (Giri Parapen) when conquered by Sultan Agung of Mataram in the year 1636. His first son named Jayengresmi accompanied by two students Gathak and Gathuk. He has been escaped separately by his younger brother and sister, Jayengsari and Niken Rancangkapti who accompanied by students Buras.
The story of the journey to escape from the pursuing soldiers of Sultan Agung was recorded in the story the way by finding many incidents of meetings with various figures across Java Island who told many stories, legends, customs and other spiritual knowledge. This story is also filled with the story of a journey Mas Cebolang students who will later become Niken Rangcangkapti’s husband and be renamed to Seh Agungrimang.
As children of Sunan Giri III who was a prominent figure spreading of Islam in Java, of course the story of their journey is also in order to find perfection in life as a Muslim. It should be remembered that Islam in Java is Javanese Islam was through a process that is more likely syncretism of Islam to Javanese culture. The Islam knowledge tells in this book tends to absorb of tasauf knowledge in nature to accomplish spiritual true life perfection (makrifat).
Serat Centhini received praise from Denys Lombart - French Orientalist - author of Le Carrefour Javanais in French which have been translated in the Indonesian language with the title of “Nusa Jawa Silang Budaya” (Java Island Cross Culture), said in his book as follows:
One version that was saved, not less than 722 pupuh (chapter) in length, divided over twelve major volumes. Each chapter consists of verses whose numbers are not fixed, between 20 and 70 pieces, all arranged according to specific song, which gives it a good chapter consistency and color tone. Depending on the song, stanzas can consist of 4 to 9 rows, and each array contains a certain number of syllables and a certain rhyme. No one has counted the number of stanzas in Serat Centhini, but as seen, if each of chapter contains an average of 40 stanzas and each stanza 7 arrays, obtained more than 200,000 arrays. It should be remembered that the Greek epic compositions by Homeros: Iliad and Odyssey each contain only 15,537 and 12,363 arrays.
The above comments indicate that Serat Centhini is one of invaluable Javanese literature. It can be recognized as one of the world of classical literature. Summaries and reviews which I will make is every volume one session of summary and another one session of review. It attempts to introduce Serat Centhini to the Indonesian community and the English translation to the world community.