Terms of address: Begawan
Type: Human
Origin: India
Description in the Javanese wayang retellings: He was in his mother's womb for 12 years before being born, during which time he learned how to recite several sacred songs. He had a strong ability to remain concentrated in meditation, even when the Gods tried to distract him on purpose. Once he was by the bank of a river and saw a beautiful woman rowing a boat. But her skin was full of disease and she had a foul smell. Her name was [Durgandini]. Palasara felt pity for her. Using his magical skills, he was able to cure her. But this was no easy feat. While Palasara tried to cure her, the disease adopted a human form and asked to be given a name. The boat itself and the paddle also demanded the same thing. Palasara acknowledged these creatures as his sons. The first one, half-disease and half-demon, was named [Rajamala]. The stern of the boat became a handsome young man named [Kencakarupa], whereas the bow became [Rupakenca]. The paddle became a beautiful woman, [Rekatawati]. They were all sent to live with [Durgandini]'s brother [Durgandana] in Wirata.
Palasara and Durgandini finally found themselves in an uninhabited part of the forest. There, they fell in love and became husband and wife. Their first child had dark skin and was named Kresna Dwipayana (Abiyasa). Then Batara Guru and Batara Narada arrived and asked Palasara to build a kingdom in the Gajahoya forest, and called it Astinapura. One day, the priest Sentanu arrived, and asked if his child [Dewabrata] could also be breastfed by [Durgandini]. The goodhearted Palasara agreed but his own child was fed less often than [Dewabrata]. This led the two men to fight. Eventually the Gods intervened, explaining that Palasara's destiny was to become a hermit while [Sentanu] was to become king and the official consort of [Durgandini]. Palasara accepted this and left for the woods, taking Abiyasa with him. There are different variations on the stories above. He eventually died a perfect death at the Srungga hermitage.
Notes on the Indian retellings: Known as sage Parasara, he is the father of Veda Vyasa. Satyavati gives birth to Veda Vyasa before her marriage as the second wife to King Shantanu.
Mother: Sati
Father: Sakri
Consorts: Durgandini
Offspring: Rajamala, Kencakarupa, Rupakenca, Abiyasa
Lived in: Astina
Takes the shape of: _Raksasa, _Lion
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