Ken Arok is considered the founder of the Rajasa dynasty of the Singhasari and Majapahit line of monarchs.
22 Facts About Ken Arok
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Ken Arok came from humble origins but subsequently rose to be the most powerful ruler in Java.
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Ken Arok's life was coloured with adventures, treacheries, and tragedies.
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Ken Arok was the son of a Brahmin Sri Jayamerta and his mother Ken Endok.
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The infant Ken Arok was placed in the Brantas by his parents who hoped he would be found by a wealthier family and get a better life.
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However, the baby Ken Arok was found by a thief called Lembong.
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One day Ken Arok met with Mpu Lohgawe, an Indian rishi who patiently taught Ken Arok to abandon his sinful life and start a new life.
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Ken Arok's effort was successful and later he managed to get Ken Arok to become an attendant of Tunggul Ametung, a powerful regional leader of the Tumapel area.
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Legend says when the wind blew over her dress and revealed her legs, Ken Arok said that he saw a beautiful light shining.
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Ken Arok later told this to his teacher, who stated that it was a sign that Ken Dedes would bear a royal dynasty and any man that took her as wife would be a King.
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Ken Arok managed to get this by ordering a kris from a famous smith called Mpu Gandring.
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Ken Arok saw that the kris had already taken shape and was strong enough to be called an exceptional weapon.
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Now owning an exceptional weapon, Ken Arok got ready for the next step of his plan.
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Ken Arok gave the kris to Kebo Ijo, another attendant of Tunggul Ametung, a greedy man known to be fond of collecting krises.
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One night, Ken Arok stole the kris back from Kebo Ijo while he was asleep.
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Ken Arok thus founded a new kingdom and started a new dynasty.
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Ken Arok took the title Sri Ranggah Rajasa Bhatara Amurwabhumi, and his dynasty was called the Rajasa dynasty.
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Anusapati, son of Ken Dedes and Tunggul Ametung and thus Ken Arok's stepson, had suspected for a long time that Ken Arok was responsible for his father's death.
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The kings of Majapahit were believed to be descended from Ken Arok, as were the Mataram rulers.
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The story of Ken Arok has been enduringly popular in Central and East Java.
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Ken Arok has been the subject of several books, movies, and traditional Javanese theater.
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Ken Arok is remembered both as a cunning and treacherous person but as a man with a strong will to pursue his dream.