Wibisana

Alternative names: Kontawibisana, Kunta_Wibisana, Gunawan_Wibisana

Terms of address: Raden

Type: Human

Origin: India

Description in the Javanese wayang retellings: He is the younger brother of Desamuka. He is the only one who was born with the face of a human (this is different in Indian retellings). Before Rama's attack to Alengka, he defected to Rama's side, providing vital information on the weaknesses of Alengka's army. His role is controversial and his defection causes some people to question the nobility of his character. Should he have stayed to fight for his land, as Kumbakarna did? There are multiple opinions on this, which are explored differently by various dalang. After Desamuka was killed, Wibisana became king of Alengka, which was thereafter known as Singgelapura. He then received Rama's advice on kingship, in the form of the Hastabrata, a philosophical treaty on statehood. After the Ramayana, he was known as Begawan Kunta Wibisana. He eventually abdicated in favor of his son [Dentawilukrama], and then achieved perfect death.

Notes on the Indian retellings: Vibisana is the younger brother of Ravana. In the Indian Ramayana, he is a giant, not a human.

Found in the follwing stories (lakon)


  1. Wahyu_Makutharama

Family relationships


Mother: Sukesi

Father: Wisrawa

Siblings: Desamuka, Sarpakenaka, Danaraja

Consorts: Triwati

Offspring: Trijati, Dentawilukrama

G cluster_family_0 cluster_family_1 union_0 siblings_0 union_0->siblings_0 Wibisana Wibisana Wibisana->union_0 Triwati Triwati Triwati->union_0 Trijati Trijati siblings_0->Trijati Dentawilukrama Dentawilukrama siblings_0->Dentawilukrama union_1 siblings_1 union_1->siblings_1 Wisrawa Wisrawa Wisrawa->union_1 Sukesi Sukesi Sukesi->union_1 siblings_1->Wibisana

More information


Wanda: Bontit, Rugsit, Rawe

Sources


H. Solichin, Suyanto, Sumari, Undung Wiyono, Sri Purwanto, 2017. Ensiklopedi Wayang Indonesia. Mitra Sarana Edukasi, Jakarta, pp. 214-220 (Vol. IX).
Heru S Sudjarwo, Sumari, Undung Wiyono, 2010. Rupa dan Karakter Wayang Purwa. Kakilangit Kencana, Jakarta, pp. 288-289.
Purwadi, 2013. Mengenal Gambar Tokoh Wayang Purwa dan Keterangannya. Cendrawasih, Surakarta, p. 261.
Sudibyoprono, R.R., Suwandono, Dhanisworo, Mujiyono, 1991. Ensiklopedi Wayang Purwa. Balai Pustaka, Jakarta, pp. 572-580.

Characters in the same scene (adegan) as Wibisana


Character Link weight
Character Link weight