Latest / Majapahit: The Empire That Once Ruled Indonesia — Fexingo History / Majapahit's Bhinneka Tunggal Ika: The Motto That United an Empire
Transcript
- Lucas: So we've talked a lot about Majapahit's military campaigns, its trade networks, its temples. But one thing we haven't really touched on is its most enduring legacy — a phrase that actually became the national motto of modern Indonesia: Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. Luna: Oh, 'Unity in Diversity' — I've seen that on the Indonesian coat of arms. Lucas: Exactly. But where did it come from? It's from a 14th-century poem called the Kakawin Sutasoma, written by Mpu Tantular during the reign of Hayam Wuruk. The poem is a long narrative in Old Javanese, blending Hindu and Buddhist themes, and this line appears in it. Luna: So it's not just a political slogan — it's from a religious poem. Lucas: Right. The full verse goes: 'Bhinneka tunggal ika tan hana dharma mangrva.' It means 'Though they are diverse, they are one — for there is no dharma that is twofold.' The word 'dharma' here means truth or cosmic law. The poet is arguing that Hinduism and Buddhism, though different in practice, both lead to the same ultimate truth. So the motto is about religious tolerance at its core. Luna: And that tolerance was key to holding Majapahit together, wasn't it? Lucas: Absolutely. Majapahit was a vast maritime empire spanning many islands, languages, and cultures. The court at Trowulan was a melting pot of Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and they deliberately promoted a policy of accommodation. The Kakawin Sutasoma itself is a masterpiece of syncretism — it tells the story of the Buddha's previous life as Prince Sutasoma, but it's filled with Hindu gods and concepts. Mpu Tantular was essentially writing a work that showed how the two religions could coexist. Luna: And this was during the height of the empire, under Hayam Wuruk and Gajah Mada. Lucas: Right. So the poem wasn't just philosophical — it had political implications. By promoting unity and tolerance, the Majapahit court could claim legitimacy over a diverse realm. And interestingly, the phrase 'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika' was rediscovered in the 20th century by Indonesian nationalists who were looking for a unifying symbol for the independence movement. It was adopted as the national motto in 1945, and it appears on the Garuda Pancasila — the national emblem. Luna: So a 14th-century Javanese poem ends up shaping the identity of modern Indonesia. Lucas: Exactly. And there's something powerful about that — that an empire that collapsed over 500 years ago still speaks to the country today. The poem survives in only a few manuscripts, mostly in Bali, because after Majapahit fell, many of its cultural treasures were preserved there. It's a fragile link, but it's held. Luna: I love that the motto isn't just about politics — it's about spiritual unity. Lucas: And that's what makes it so resonant. It's not saying 'we're all the same,' but rather 'we are different, and that's okay, because there's a deeper truth that connects us.' That's a remarkably sophisticated idea for any era. Luna: It's almost like the empire's whole philosophy wrapped into one line. Lucas: And you know, if you've been enjoying these deep dives into Majapahit's culture and history — if this kind of conversation is something you look forward to — it really helps if listeners chip in a little. A couple of dollars a month is genuinely what keeps these going. You can find us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo, if you've gotten something out of them. Luna: Yeah, it makes a real difference for an ad-free show like ours. Lucas: So back to Bhinneka Tunggal Ika — the poem itself, the Kakawin Sutasoma, is actually quite long, over 100 stanzas. But that one line became iconic. Modern scholars have debated the exact meaning of 'dharma' in that context, but the consensus is that Mpu Tantular was advocating for a pluralistic society. Luna: Was the poem widely read in Majapahit? Lucas: We think so. It was written in kakawin form, which was the high literary style of the Javanese courts, intended for recitation. It would have been performed at court ceremonies and probably studied by the elite. And it wasn't the only work promoting tolerance — there was also the Kakawin Arjunawiwaha and others. But Sutasoma is the one that survived in the Indonesian national consciousness. Luna: So the motto is really a product of that specific moment — the golden age of Majapahit. Lucas: Exactly. And it's a reminder that empires aren't just about armies and taxes — they're also about ideas. Majapahit's willingness to embrace diversity was a strategic strength, but it also reflected a genuine philosophical commitment. The phrase 'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika' is a window into that world. Luna: And it's still relevant today. Lucas: More than ever, I think. In a world that's often divided, the idea that difference doesn't have to mean conflict — that's a lesson from a 700-year-old poem that we could all use. Luna: Thanks for exploring that with me, Lucas. Lucas: Always a pleasure. Next time, we'll look at another side of Majapahit's legacy — the way its legal system worked. That's a whole other story.