Mbah Maridjan's departure a few years ago suddenly shocked the Indonesian people both inside and outside the country, including me. Whereas the champion is not a high official or celebrity moreover known entrepreneurs. He just typical Java simple man, very down to earth. Although his followers in the hundreds, perhaps thousands of people, the champion was not a propagandist boasted seeking popularity or followers.
Mbah Maridjan also not a high class employee, director general, let alone a minister. However, for some people of Java, Yogyakarta, Mbah holds the responsibility and role is exceptional as an ambassador. Ambassador? Yes, exactly ambassador for Keraton Keraton Yogyakarta Mount Merapi. He is the liaison alias caretaker (kuncen) among the people of Yogyakarta with fine natural communities occupants of Mount Merapi, a post which he inherited from his late father, with a training period of a lifetime. A young age, he has been assistant to his father in leading various alms ceremony mountain that could be interpreted as a diplomatic visit.
Si Mbah suddenly hit the headlines when he refused evacuated by a rescue team when Merapi in a standby state in 2006 because it believes that Merapi will erupt at the time. Even the Sultan's orders (which incidentally is his boss as courtiers palace) was unable to change his stance. Some residents then chimed refused to get off the mountain because they have more confidence in the elders than geophysicists. In fact, it is then not so Merapi erupted.
This incident is certainly very difficult to make any sense, and it may only be truly understood by those who have a high spirituality.
In the view of Java and Bali, the mountain, as the ocean, does have the power noetic (magical) were outstanding. To Hinduism in Java and Bali puts the mountain as a manifestation of the power of purusa ( "father") and the ocean as a manifestation of the power of Predana ( "mother"). Therefore, the Hindu sacred places in Indonesia are usually built in the mountains or near the ocean. Even stronger spiritual meanings (taksu) of the shrine that was built overlooking the sea with a mountain backdrop for receiving taksu of the two forces.
Admittedly, called taksu can not be measured by a conventional and logically hard to prove its existence. But the power taksu a site can be felt by those who have a high level of sensitivity and spirituality, regardless of religion he follows.
Back in Mbah Maridjan, no one knows really why he refused evacuation for the second time when Merapi began raged back a few days ago. Those who were around the champion in the final seconds, too, killed by heat clouds wedhus trash with him and therefore can not testify in court.
I myself reminded of a story about a minister who repeatedly refused evacuation when floods hit the area because he believes that he will be saved God. When he finally died and met God, he asked why God did not come to her rescue. God then replied that he had been trying to save the chaplain to send rescue teams, raft, and a helicopter but have all been rebuffed so eventually he was killed because of his faith.
I do not know whether this is also the reason for rejecting the champion down the mountain, or is there other causes. But I am very touched to read some of the comments in various online media are calling the death of Mbah Maridjan as punishment from polytheism he believes will be a force beyond God. Some are openly accusing the Mbah plunged the surrounding community which raised a victim of the eruption. Yet according to the champion himself, he never directs citizens to follow in his footsteps. A person's safety, said the champion, determined by the person himself.
It is said that the story, until his death, Mbah Maridjan was never considered Mount Merapi as something harmful. Even he does not ever want to use the word "broke", but a "celebration". When the owner of Merapi is have urination, so he added, then the surrounding community should be patient and put their trust. Perhaps this is also why local residents are not visible panic during the evacuation process running smoothly.
When Mbah Maridjan's body was later found in a prostrate position, raised allegations that the champion was deliberately to meet death, with style. As if the prostration of the champion is the embodiment of patience and ketawakalannya himself, describing his resignation and submission to the Almighty. As if prostration is indeed the last position selected by the champion as it is believed some Muslims that those who died in prostration surely die khusnul khotimah.
Probably most of us will judge that the path chosen Mbah Maridjan an absurd way, even foolish. Certainly would not have thought in our minds to choose prostrate than ran over backwards when hot clouds of death spurts.
But when worldliness is no longer important in a person's life, death is only a matter of time. Those familiar with the epic Mahabharata certainly remember how Kunti, Gandhari and Patih Dewi Vidura meet death by choosing continue meditating when a fire swept through forests where they do Wanaprasta (exile).
And apparently Mbah Maridjan understand the essence of this mortal life is much better than many of the religious leaders who memorized the holy book inside and out.
Goodbye, Grandma ...