Nelu Bulanin
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Nelu Bulanin, also known as Upacara Nelu Bulanin and Niskramana Samskara, is a traditional ceremony held in Bali, Indonesia, to commemorate an infant baby that has reached the age of three months. Specifically, the ceremony is for a baby that has reached the age of 105 days old, or three months per the Pawukon calculation.
Description of the ceremony
There are two types of ceremonies. The first one is the upacara kecil or small ceremony. This ceremony is more traditional than the larger version. It includes five components: panglepasan (discharge, release, or redemption), penyambutan (welcoming), jejanganan, Banten kumara, and tataban.[1] The second type of ceremony is upacara besar, or big ceremony. This ceremony adds pula gembal, Banten panglukatan, Banten Turun Tanah.[1]
This ceremony is held for a baby that has reached the age of 105 days old. If it is impossible to hold the ceremony on that date, due to travel requirements or the safety of the baby, the ceremony can be postponed. Usually, it will be completed before the baby reaches six months of age.[1] The ceremony can be held in the family's home.[1] It is led by a Pandita or Pinandita. This person is a mentor or guide.[1]
Procedures
There are six steps of the ceremony : 1) Pandita/Pinandita begs tirtha panglukatan, 2) Pandita/Pinandita worship: sprinkle tirtha on offerings and on the baby, 3) If the baby will wear jewelry such as bracelets or necklaces, the item is first applied with sprinkled tirtha, 4) Prayers for the baby, performed by the paternal grandmother accompanied by Pandita/Pinandita, 5) The baby is given tirtha pengening (tirtha amertha) and then feeds on the joint, 6) Finally, the baby is given natab sajen ayaban (a speech), which means asking for safety.[1]
Mantras and their meanings
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Each event in the ceremony has their own mantra:
Panglepas’s mantra
Mantra: ukulun Bhatara Bhrahma, Bhatara Wisnu, Bhatara lswara, manusanira si anu (nama anak) anglepas aon, ipun ribatara tiga, pukulun anyuda leteh ipun, teka sudha, teka sudha, teka sudha, lepas malanipun.
Meaning: Om Hyang Widhi Wasa in manifestation as Bhatara Brahma, Vishnu, lswara. Thy servant is aon, cleanse his defilement so that it becomes holy and free from misery or suffering.
Mantra: Pukulun kaki sambut, nini sambut, tanedanan sambut agung tanedanan sambut alit, yen lunga mangetan, mangidul, mangalor, mangulon, mwang maring tengah, atmane si jabang bayi, tinututan dening pawatek dewata, pinayungan kala cakra, pinageran wesi, sambut ulihakena atma bayu premanane si jabang bayi maka satus delapan, amepeki raga sariranipun.
Meaning: Om Hyang Widhi Wasa in manifestation as a welcome leg, welcome this, without exception welcome big and small, allow me to beg if the spirit of the baby might go to East, South, West, North and be in the Middle, to always get protection from Gods are like sheltered by Kalachakra and iron fences. Then return the perfection of the baby's spirit to his body.
Simbul tanam’s mantra
Mantra: Om sang wawu pade wawu anak ira si tunggul ametung putunira sikarang jarat, sira anak-anakan watu, sira anak-anakan antiga, ingusan anak-anakan manusa.
Meaning: Om Hyang Widhi Wasa, your son is the one who is with you and your grandson who is growing and healthy, is a seed that is expected to be useful in the future.
Natab banten, and welcoming mantra
Mantra: Pukulan Kaki Prajapati, Nini Prajapati, Kaki Citragotra, Nini Citragotri, ingsun aneda sih nugraha ring kita sambuta, ulapi atmane si anu (nama anak) manawi wenten atmanipun angati ring pinggiring samudra, ring tengahing udadi, ndaweng ulihakena ring awak nia si anu (sebut nama anak), depun tetap mandel kukuh, pageh aweta urip. Om ayu werdhi, yasa werdhi pradnya suka sriyah dharma santana wredisca, santute sapta wredhayah.
Meaning: Om Hyang widhi Wasa in manifestation as Kaki Prajapati, Nini Prajapati, Kaki Citragotra, Nini Citragotri (four siblings: tuba water, mucus / lamadas, uranium, blood) I ask before You a life that is physically and mentally prosperous, given a long life , kept away from illness and danger.
Menginjak tanah’s mantra
Mantra: Pukulun Kaki Citragotra, Nini Citragotri, ingsung minta nugraha nurunaken rare ring lemah, turun ayam ameng-ameng sarwa kencana sri sedana, katur ring Bhatari Mangkurat, Bhatari Wastu, Bhetari Kedep makadi Kaki Citragotra, Nini Citragotri, iki aturanipun srahatan aweta urip waras, dirgha yusa, tan keneng geget, wewedinan, asung ana aweta urip, waras teguh timbul, abusana kulit, akulit tembaga, aotot kawat, abalung wesi, anganti atungkel bubungan, angantos batu makocok, ulihakena pramana nama maka satus dua lapan maring raga waluna nta si jabang bayi.
Meaning:Om Hyang Widhi Wasa, I beg for Your grace by dropping the baby to the ground, descending chickens, playing games and using precious gold silver treasures to offer to You. This is the offering of servants to ask for physical and spiritual salvation.[1]
Nelu Bulanin Massal
There is a tradition related to Nelu Bulanin called Nelu Bulanin Massal. Starting in 1965, eighty families in Pekraman Kliki Village, Bali, perform this ceremony every three years. The governor of this village showed appreciation for this tradition because of itd teamwork and togetherness value.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Upacara nelu bulanin (umur 3 bulan) - Niskramana Samskara" (in Indonesian). Yayasan Bali Galang.
- ^ Masuki (24 August 2010). "Warga Lestarikan Tradisi "Nelu Bulanin" Massal". Antara News.