Terms of address: Prabu
Type: Human
Origin: India
Description in the Javanese wayang retellings: Known as Narasoma in his youth. His father wanted him to find a wife but Narasoma rebelled and was kicked out of Mandaraka. In his travels Bagaspati, an ogre, found him. Bagaspati's daughter Pujawati had seen Salya in a dream and Bagaspati promised to find Salya for her. But Salya was afraid that Bagaspati's daughter would be an ogre as well and refused, so he had to be brought by force. However, upon seeing Pujawati's beauty, he immediately fell in love with her. But Salya was still ashamed of having an ogre as a father-in-law. Sensing this, Bagaspati agreed to be killed, on the condition that Salya promised to be faithful to Pujawati his entire life. Salya returned to Mandaraka, and initially this was reason for happiness until Salya's father realized what his son had done. Salya was then kicked out of his home kingdom for a second time. Madrim, his younger sister, was saddened by his departure and thus, decided to follow him. Salya had acquired the Aji Candrabirawa amulet from Bagaspati, and this made him arrogant. While on the road, he encountered Pandu, who had just won Kunti in a contest. Salya challenged Pandu to a duel. If Salya were to win, he would get Kunti as a wife. Otherwise, Salya would give his younger sister as a wife to Pandu. Pandu won and this was how he came to meet his second wife. These family ties made things difficult for Salya later on. His daughters married men from Korawa faction (Karna and Duryudana), but Salya's own nephews were Pandawa (Nakula and Sadewa). Eventually he decided to pledge allegiance to the Pandawa. But this plan failed. As he was traveling with his army, he was intercepted by Sengkuni who showered him with the gifts of hospitality. Salya was then forced to swear allegiance to the Kurawa. But in his heart he favored the Pandawa. His actions also demonstrated this. When Karna asked Salya to be his charioteer, Salya accepted, but in a crucial moment, Salya's sudden maneuver made Karna unable to hit Arjuna with an arrow. After Karna's death, Salya was named general and then died in combat with Puntadewa.
Notes on the Indian retellings: Salya is the maternal uncle of Madri's sons, Nakul and Sahadeva. He ended up siding with the Kauravas by accident as Duryodhana tricked him into thinking that his accommodation at the war camp was being provided by him when in fact, it had been provided by the Pandavas. As a result, Salya was obliged to help the Kauravas. He still expressed his support for the Pandavas by discouraging Karna when he became his charioteer.
Mother: Tejawati
Father: Mandrekaswara
Consorts: Pujawati
Offspring: Rukmarata, Burisrawa, Erawati, Sutikanti, Banowati
Killed by: Puntadewa
Amulets and hierlooms: Aji_Candabirawa
Wanda: Jaka, Jangkung, Rembagan, Begal
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