Serat
Centhini coverage is very broad related to
Javanese Culture that live in 16th-17th century when the events of this
story took place. Most of stories, customs, and beliefs still live among the people especially in rural area across Java Island.
Places which have been through by Jayengresmi, Jayengrana, and Niken Rangcangkapti could be used as a reference by archeologist since most of the temples and relics are the heritage of the past Javanese kingdom. The mountains and villages through most of them are still there to this day with the same name.
For example, when Jayengresmi see a lot of large bones in Phandan mountain, the large bones are possible the bones of ancient animals from prehistoric times. When passed Dandhangngilo is a source of natural kerosene, this place may contain a source of crude oil.
While folklore in volume-1 still live to this day: the big snake story named Jaka Nginglung – the origin of saltwater in Kuwu, the story of Ki Ageng Sela capture lightning and his taboo, story of Sri Sadana – the origin of rice, characters of shadow play figures.
Customs related to Javanese calendar, the good day or bad day for various purposes, selamatan (gathering to pray) for people died are in general currently it's been compiled into a Primbon book available in the book store. Many Javanese people, despite being a Christian or a Muslim still use it.
Meanwhile, special customs like various dimension and size of spears and keris, various parts of the house, compose candrasangkala are learned by experts engaged in this field. Currently there are masters of making keris and spears, also making Joglo (Javanese) house.
Candrasangkala are the attributes of numbers 1 to 9. Each number can be translated into appropriate word. It is usually made to assemble a phrase as remembering an event year. For example the Javanese phrase “Paksa suci sabda ji” in the opening of Serat Centhini is a Candrasangkala. It means the year 1742 in Javanese calendar which is equal to the year 1814 AD when Serat Centhini started to be written. The phrase is made up of word “paksa” (means force is equal to value 2), “suci” (means sacred is equal to value 4), “sabda” (means command is equal to value 7), “ji” (means king is equal to value 1). It’s read from the back that Serat Centhini made in Javanese calendar year of 1742 based on king force sacred command. It is quite complicated. Currently only staff inside Javanese kraton (palace) may still mastering this knowledge.
While in the spiritual knowledge area, many studies and books have been published related to the spiritual knowledge which is discussed in each volume of Serat Centhini. Javanese community pleased with the discussion of "sangkan paraning dumadi" or "the origin of life". Many serat (book) in form of tembang (Javanese song) which advises us to live virtuous lives are mentioned in Serat Centhini. Mentioned in volume 1 are:
1. Serat Nitisruti is written by Prince Karanggayam of Pajang Kingdom in 1612. Containing advice for virtuous lives and a portrait behavior being bad, moderate, and noble.
2. Waringin Sunsang (Reverse Banyan) is the story of the origins of life symbol and the way of death. At the time of the spirit that comes from Allah SWT down to give human life is easy, but the time it will come back is hard as the reverse banyan. Burden due to actions during life, passions that affect humans, become obstacles to the spirit back to the roots of life that leads upwards. Unless tireless effort been made to focus on the balance toward the root of the life of devotion to Allah SWT.
3. Four ways to meditation (controlling self-behavior):
o Anarima, receiving love Allah SWT, to accept whatever happens in accordance with divine destiny.
o Geniira, prevent yourself from feeling anger.
o Banyuira, a good fit as the flow of water.
o Ngluwat, keeping all the things that pride itself in order not to consider him the most correct. Andap asor (live modestly).
4. Langit Sapta (Seven Heaven) is the seven level of spirit to perfection: bodily spirit, vegetal spirit, passion spirit, spiritual spirit, conscience spirit, rabani spirit (closer to Allah SWT), kapi spirit (having some attributes of Allah SWT).
5. Sifat rong puluh (Twenty Atributes of Allah SWT) is an attempt to understand Essence, Nature, Name and Activity of Allah SWT (most likely this is syncretism or adaptation of Asma Al-Husna – 99 names of Allah SWT):
a. Napsiyah (Essence): Being (There must have been).
b. Salbiyah (Nature): Kidam (Most Beginning), Baka (Immortal), Mukalapah lil kawadis (Most Noble), Wal kiyamu binaphisi (Create Himself), Wahdaniyat (Only One)
c. Manganiyah (Name): Kodrat (Almighty), Iradat (
Greatest Creator), Ngelmu (Greatest Intelligent), Kayat (Greatest Existence), Samak (Greatest Knowledgeable), Basar (Greatest Awareness), Kalam (Greatest Meaningful Talk).
d. Maknawiyah (Activity): Kadiran (Most Dominate), Muridan (Most Creative), Ngalimun (Most Master in Knowledge), Kayat (Most Keeping Life), Samingun (Most Knowing), Basiran (Most Seeing), Muakalimun (Most Speaking).