Maerah

Alternative names: Amirah, Mahira, Maekah

Terms of address: Dewi

Type: Human

Origin: India

Description in the Javanese wayang retellings: She is married to Basudewa. But Gorawangsa impersonates Basudewa and seduces her. Basudewa sentences her to death and tasks Bismaka with her execution. However, upon learning that she is pregnant, Bismaka cannot get himself to kill her, and he abandons her in the forest instead. She is discovered and protected by resi [Anggawangsa], who brings her to Wisarengga, where she gives birth to Kangsa. As an adult Kangsa rebels against Basudewa but is killed by Baladewa. After his defeat, Maerah commits ritual suicide.

Notes on the Indian retellings: Not mentioned in the Indian Mahabharata.

Found in the follwing stories (lakon)


  1. Semar_Barang_Jantur
  2. Basudewa_Grogol

Family relationships


Father: Kurandapati

Siblings: Rohini

Consorts: Basudewa, Gorawangsa

Offspring: Kangsa

G cluster_family_0 cluster_family_1 cluster_family_2 cluster_family_3 cluster_family_4 union_0 Maerah Maerah Maerah->union_0 union_1 Maerah->union_1 Basudewa Basudewa Basudewa->union_0 siblings_1 union_1->siblings_1 Gorawangsa Gorawangsa Gorawangsa->union_1 Kangsa Kangsa siblings_1->Kangsa union_2 siblings_2 union_2->siblings_2 Kurandapati Kurandapati Kurandapati->union_2 siblings_2->Maerah union_3 siblings_3 union_3->siblings_3 Kuntiboja Kuntiboja Kuntiboja->union_3 siblings_3->Basudewa siblings_4 siblings_4->Gorawangsa

More information


Sources


H. Solichin, Suyanto, Sumari, Undung Wiyono, Sri Purwanto, 2017. Ensiklopedi Wayang Indonesia. Mitra Sarana Edukasi, Jakarta, pp. 81-83 (Vo. VI).
Heru S Sudjarwo, Sumari, Undung Wiyono, 2010. Rupa dan Karakter Wayang Purwa. Kakilangit Kencana, Jakarta, pp. 860-861.
Purwadi, 2013. Mengenal Gambar Tokoh Wayang Purwa dan Keterangannya. Cendrawasih, Surakarta, p. 162.
Sudibyoprono, R.R., Suwandono, Dhanisworo, Mujiyono, 1991. Ensiklopedi Wayang Purwa. Balai Pustaka, Jakarta, pp. 326-327.

Characters in the same scene (adegan) as Maerah


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