Kala Sungsang

Authors: Youla Azkarrula, Susanne M Hoffmann

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Lintang Kala Sungsang in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.752)

Lintang Kala Sungsang in lontar Prasi Palelintangan (CC-BY Alfred Maaß, (1929), Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen)

Balinese constellation: Kala Sungsang (an inverted demon), re-drawn by Jessica Gullberg for the planetarium software Stellarium (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula & Jessica Gullberg)

De demon Kala Sungsang TMnr 1646-48 (CC-BY SA I. Dewa Gedé Soberat (Schilder)).

Kala Sungang is an Oceanic name from Bali (Indonesia). "Kala" means "demon" and "sungsang" means "upside down". It is the demon who stole and drank the holy water of the gods that makes them immortal. The constellation (lintang) of kala sungsang is found in intersection of Redite (Sunday, in saptawara) and Umanis (in pancawara) in a series of palelintangan. Lintang kala sungsang means an upside-down demon constellation.

Etymology and History

This constellation term is consisted of two words, "kala" (IPA: /kala/) and "sungsang" (IPA: /ˈsʊŋsaŋ/).

Spelling Variants

• sungsang kala
• antja-antja (old spelling)
• anca-anca (enhanced spelling)

Origin of Constellation

Kala is derived from Sanskrit काल, that means time or death. Kala is son of the god Shiva who titled the god of time. The god Kala is often symbolized as a giant, with a scary face, dark in color and almost does not resemble a god. Kala is a symbol that no one can fight the law of karma. When it is time for someone to leave the mortal world, then at that time Kala will come to pick him up. If anyone insists on living along with their own will, then they will be destroyed by Kala. Therefore, Kala's face is very scary. But, in this case, kala sungsang is not the son of the god Shiva and goddess Durga.

While "sungsang" is from Javanese which means upside-down. This word depicts an abnormal position, what is above becomes below or what is in front becomes behind. The other meaning of "sungsang" is return back, has a meaning whatever we think, say and do, the results will definitely come back to us according to our karma.

Kala Sungsang is one of the demonic entities or negative forces that are considered to be present in traditional Balinese beliefs. He is often associated with the bala rencang at Pura Dalem and acts as a guard for Ida Bhatara Pengulun Setra. In the imagination of the Balinese people, Kala sungsang is depicted as a tall and large giant figure, with a scary face, and an upside-down body position, where his head is below and his feet are above. He walks using both hands.

Kala Sungsang symbolizes the figure who is the cause of all times or conditions that are contrary to the conditions that should be, especially in the Kali Yuga era. This includes an abnormal natural phenomenon, such as weather that is not in accordance with the season, as well as human traits that are contrary to their nature.

General information

Identification of Balinese constellations (Maaß 1929, appendix).

The astronomical identification of the constellation is taken from Maaß (1929) who explains in general that these constellations and the according ritual practice

"sind seit alten Zeiten in einem Werk ,,wariga" niedergelegt, in dem wir zwei Kulturschichten, nämlich indische unq malaio-polynesische Bestandteile wiederfinden."

English: "are written down in a work called "wariga" since old times; there we recognise two cultural layers, i.e. the Indian and the Malayo-Polynesian."

He also quotes other scholars and his earlier work reporting that this work dates back to the 9th century CE when Bali was part of a Hindu empire on the neighbouring island of Java. Neubronner van der Tuuk even uses the Old Javanese spelling.

Identification

The identifications, Maaß (1929) gives according to the aforementioned and his own studies during visits of the country and in European and Batavian libraries (p.150).

Kala Sungsang in the identification table by Maaß (1929). He mention "ein Stern im Sternbild des grossen Bären bei den Indern" in German means "a star in the constellation of the Great Bear among the Indians".

The precise identification is mentioned by UPTD Museum Bali where Kala Sungsang is in the area of Bootes.

Maaß's description (p. 140):

Kala sungsang, ein auf Kopf und Händen stehender böser Geist; antja-antja, Figur, die auf Kopf und Händen steht; buta, ein böser Geist. Lippen krumm im Reden;

English: Kala sungsang, an evil spirit standing on its head and hands; antja-antja, a figure standing on its head and hands; buta, an evil spirit. Lips twisted when speaking.

Mythology / Religion

Based on the chronicle in the Purwa Bhumi Kamulan Lontar, Kala Sungsang was created when the goddess Durga was meditating.

Based on Andhabhuwana lontar, it is mentioned that the origin of the existence of Dewi Uma changed into Dewi Durga (ruler of the grave) because she received a curse from Lord Shiva. The curse caused Dewi Uma, who was titled Dewi Durga, to stay in the world and would return to Siwa Loka after being purified.

After descending to the world, she did a ritual. When Goddess Durga was meditating, various spirits and negative forces emerged from the hairs all over her body. These spirits, with their strange and scary appearances, have the task of misleading and testing the determination of humans in carrying out dharma. Among these creatures, Bhuta Sungsang has a special task of confusing the minds of humans so that they have difficulty distinguishing between reality and illusion and become reversed in their thoughts and actions.

In the Nusa Penida chronicle, Goddess Durga resides as the ruling deity of the grave followed by 108 Bhuta-Bhuti. The following are the names of the butha kala and butha kali that accompany the presence of Goddess Durga in the grave, namely, bhùta banaspati, yamapati, mregapati, banaspatiraja, bhùta saliwah, bhùta salah rupa, bhùta Enjek-pupu, Tangan-tangan, Laweyan, Kumangmang, Anja-anja, Mamedi, Bhùta Sungsang, Udug-Basur, Ileg-ileg, Papengkah, Barong Asepek, I Gagendu, Suku-tunggal, kakawa, Mretyu, Togtogsil, Raregek, Raparayu, Kala Ngadang, bhùta Tan-pakuping, bhùta Bungut-sasibak, and so on. The task of Dewa Durga and her 108 followers is to spread disease, create drought, disaster in the world. However, the main target is humans who forget to devote themselves to the Almighty God.

Kala Sungsang is considered one of the 15 most powerful Bhutas among the soldiers. Kala Sungsang is believed to be the cause of human thoughts and behavior being reversed or not in accordance with the norms that should be. This is reflected in the decline of customary norms, religion, manners, and community ethics.

Image Variants

• 
  Lintang Kala Sungsang (CC-BY Alfred Maaß, (1929), Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen)
• 
  Lintang Kala Sungsang in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.746)
• 
  Lintang Kala Sungsang in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.752)
• 
  Lintang Sungsang Kala (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula taken in the ceiling of Taman Gili Klungkung Palace Bali)

Cultural Beliefs

Numerology (Neptu/Urip)

Redite (Sunday, in saptawara) has a value of 5 and Umanis (in pancawara) has a value of 5. Thus, the total urip on this lintang is 10.

Astrological Characteristics

Self-torture, often hit by disasters and misfortunes. Unable to heed people's advice, act as they please, act as if they can do any job, are brave towards their parents, often get hurt by people, are good at hiding their feelings, are good at expressing complicated problems, like to interfere in other people's business.

Matching Gemstones

Osadi (Zambrut /emerald), Daluman (Giok/Jade), Ijo Gading (Peridot), Narigangga (Chrysoberyl cat’s eye).

All HIP Stars within this constellation

Stars within the Constellation Area

id	Label	IAU design.	description	Vmag
1	Arcturus	HIP 69673	within constellation lines	-0.05
2	Izar	HIP 72105	within constellation lines	2.45
3	Muphrid	HIP 67927	within constellation lines	2.68
4	Seginus	HIP 71075	within constellation lines	3.02
5	δ Boötis	HIP 74666	within constellation lines	3.49
6	Nekkar	HIP 73555	within constellation lines	3.52
7	ρ Boötis	HIP 71053	Inside the Hull	3.59
8	Alkalurops	HIP 75411	Inside the Hull	4.31
9	σ Boötis	HIP 71284	Inside the Hull	4.47
10	* zet Boo B	HIP 71795	within constellation lines	4.51
11	ο Boötis	HIP 72125	Inside the Hull	4.6
12	W Boo	HIP 71995	Inside the Hull	4.79
13	* eps Boo B	HR 5505	Inside the Hull	4.801
14	12 Boo	HIP 69226	Inside the Hull	4.83
15	-	HIP 70027	Inside the Hull	4.85
16	π 1 Boötis	HIP 71762	Inside the Hull	4.893
17	22 Boo	HIP 70602	Inside the Hull	5.394
18	-	HIP 72582	Inside the Hull	5.48
19	-	HIP 73634	Inside the Hull	5.513
20	40 Boo	HIP 73369	Inside the Hull	5.634
21	* pi.02 Boo	HR 5476	Inside the Hull	5.761
22	-	HIP 72552	Inside the Hull	5.8
23	HP Boo	HIP 72567	Inside the Hull	5.867
24	26 Boo	HIP 71115	Inside the Hull	5.897
25	-	HIP 71571	Inside the Hull	5.91
26	V* CN Boo	HR 5343	Inside the Hull	5.957
27	-	HIP 71277	Inside the Hull	5.999
28	-	HIP 71094	Inside the Hull	6
29	-	HIP 70892	Inside the Hull	6.05
30	-	HIP 73068	Inside the Hull	6.122
31	-	HIP 72469	Inside the Hull	6.13
32	-	HIP 72139	Inside the Hull	6.145
33	-	HIP 71729	Inside the Hull	6.15
34	-	HIP 70762	Inside the Hull	6.2
35	-	HIP 71490	Inside the Hull	6.2
36	-	HIP 70310	Inside the Hull	6.2
37	-	HIP 72124	Inside the Hull	6.28
38	-	HIP 71243	Inside the Hull	6.306
39	-	HIP 73941	Inside the Hull	6.351
40	-	HIP 71406	Inside the Hull	6.37
41	-	HIP 69592	Inside the Hull	6.377
42	-	HIP 71168	Inside the Hull	6.39
43	-	HIP 71857	Inside the Hull	6.4
44	-	HR 5346	Inside the Hull	6.41
45	-	HIP 70385	Inside the Hull	6.41
46	-	HIP 70051	Inside the Hull	6.445

IAU Working Group on Star Names

In November 2025, it has been proposed to use the name "Kalasungsang" for a star in the area to preserve the Balinese heritage. The star Delta Boo or HIP 74666 is in the demon's elbow which was selected because this is a sign of the meaning of sungsang, which is upside down. Constellation Kalasungsang is mentioned in Palelintangan Prasi, dating roughly 700 CE, and is still used in Bali.

References

• References (general)