Abimanyu

Alternative names: Angkawijaya, Jayamurcita, Jaka Pangalasan, Kirityatmaja, Paratasuta, Sumbadraja, Wanudara, Wirabattana

Terms of address: Raden

Type: Human

Origin: India

Description in the Javanese wayang retellings: Dewi [Utari] was supposed to marry Arjuna, for his services to the Wirata kingdom. But Arjuna asked that she be offered to his son Abimanyu instead. She asked Abimanyu if he was still single (at that time he was already married to Siti_Sendari). Abimanyu swore that he was still single and vowed to die if this was false. [Utari] eventually figured out the truth and cursed him to die in the Baratayuda war. With [Utari], Abimanyu fathered [Parikesit]. Abimanyu became the ruler of Plangkawati after defeating Prabu [Jayamurcita], also known as [Angkawijaya], who was attempting to marry Rara_Ireng. Since his birth, he has had the Wahyu Hidayat, which granted him great knowledge. After coming of age, he received the Wahyu Cakraningrat, which made him the father of kings. Abimanyu eventually died in the Baratayuda war, as predicted by [Utari]. He killed Lesmana_Mandrakumara but was in turn killed by [Jayadrata] with the Gyiai Glinggang weapon. In an alternative origin story, he was born from Bima's thigh (hence the name Bimanyu).

Notes on the Indian retellings: Abhimanyu was born to Arjuna and Subhadra. He married Princess Uttara, daughter of King Virata of the Matsya Kingdom. He died an unjust death after being attacked by the Kaurava army when he was trapped in the Padma Vyuha formation. He was an unborn child in his mother's womb when he heard his father's explanation of how to enter the Padma Vyuha (lotus formation), which was a challenging formation to break into. However, Subhadra fell asleep when Arjuna explained how to exit the formation and as a result, Abhimanyu was unable to hear the remaining portion of the explanation. Hence, he was trapped and killed unjustly by the Kauravas. Thereafter, his wife gave birth to Parikshit, their son.

Family relationships


Mother: Rara_Ireng

Father: Arjuna

Consorts: Siti_Sendari, Utari

Offspring: Parikesit

G cluster_family_0 cluster_family_1 cluster_family_2 cluster_family_3 union_0 Abimanyu Abimanyu Abimanyu->union_0 union_1 Abimanyu->union_1 Siti_Sendari Siti_Sendari Siti_Sendari->union_0 siblings_1 union_1->siblings_1 Utari Utari Utari->union_1 Parikesit Parikesit siblings_1->Parikesit union_2 siblings_2 union_2->siblings_2 Arjuna Arjuna Arjuna->union_2 Rara_Ireng Rara_Ireng Rara_Ireng->union_2 siblings_2->Abimanyu union_3 siblings_3 union_3->siblings_3 Pratiwi Pratiwi Pratiwi->union_3 Kresna Kresna Kresna->union_3 siblings_3->Siti_Sendari

More information


Lived in: Palangkawati

Killed by: Jayadrata

Amulets and hierlooms: Wahyu Hidayat, Wahyu Cakraningrat

Wanda: Yogyakarta: Sedet, Padasih, Kanyut; Surakarta: Bontit, Banjed, Brebes, Jayenggati, Kanyut, Malatsih, Mangu, Mriwis, Panji, Rangkung, Bulus

Sources


Hardjowirogo, 1948. Sejarah Wayang Purwa. Balai Pustaka, Jakarta, pp. 205-208
H. Solichin, Suyanto, Sumari, Undung Wiyono, Sri Purwanto, 2017. Ensiklopedi Wayang Indonesia. Mitra Sarana Edukasi, Jakarta, pp. 12-23 (Vol. I).
Heru S Sudjarwo, Sumari, Undung Wiyono, 2010. Rupa dan Karakter Wayang Purwa. Kakilangit Kencana, Jakarta, pp. 440-441.
Purwadi, 2013. Mengenal Gambar Tokoh Wayang Purwa dan Keterangannya. Cendrawasih, Surakarta, p. 3.
Sudibyoprono, R.R., Suwandono, Dhanisworo, Mujiyono, 1991. Ensiklopedi Wayang Purwa. Balai Pustaka, Jakarta, pp. 18-20.

Characters in the same scene (adegan) as Abimanyu


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