“Shura Dhira Jayaning rat lebur dening pangastuti” - This was the way of life of Indonesian people in ancient times. And I am quite sure it is also the way of life of people in ancient times all over the world. Of course not extensively. Many people in ancient times, led their lives in a noble way, a life which brought peace to oneself and others close to them.

“Shura Dhira Jayaning rat lebur dening pangastuti” It became their blood and not just an idea hiding in the mind. The meaning of this wise saying is, ‘the very strong and brave conqueror of the world is defeated by praise or glorification.’ This was the “technique” of politicians in ancient times. When they didn’t have enough power to defeat their enemies then they used this soft political war to conquer the conquerors of the world, or powerful kings. They did not need to waste their money, soldiers and the blood of their citizens, but they still won the battle. How? By praising and glorifying the strongest political leaders in the world.

I think many politicians still use this technique, or maybe some have forgotten this, because they believe that they have strong modern weapons, although in many things, they are weak. Or they will use this technique “serpent in the corner” in an improper way. How will a snake look when it is cornered and feeling its life is in danger? In their very critical and dangerous situation they will feel helpless, then they will rise up, moving their head here and there to try to intimidate their enemies or people who are threatening them. Even though they may have no poison left, they will still try to act threatening in the hope of scaring their opponent off.

Many politicians use this ‘serpent in the corner’ technique in an improper way, because they understand they have modern weapons (even nuclear) and they understand that their enemy, even big enemies will run away scared.

But what does this wise saying teach us? Shura means the brave, strong, the one who always wins the war. Dhira means one who is in full determination with an unflinching faith. And Jayaning rat means the conqueror of the world. To face the big, big enemy or big, big problem, people should keep humbleness in their heart, they should use humility. By becoming humble in front of a big problem, people will be saved. By becoming humble in front of a big enemy, people will be saved. Humility is a very powerful weapon to save ourselves from a big enemy or to make our enemy calm. Lebur dening pangastuti means (big enemies are) defeated by humbleness through hands folded in front of the chest, by humility and praising the enemy. The general symptoms of the materially powerful person, is that they like very much the glorification of themselves, by others and by themselves. Expert and wise enemies will see this and use this weakness (of powerful leaders) in a very intelligent way, and then they conquer them. So, when you are a powerful leader in this world, be careful with this weakness.

But what I want you to learn from this wise saying, “Shura Dhira Jayaning rat lebur dening pangastuti”, is that lust, anger and greed reside deep within us need to be calmed by patience and humility.

These three (anger, lust and greed) will always guide you to conquer the world, to enjoy the world. That is their job. And they reside in the mind of not only big big leaders of the world, but also in the hearts, minds and blood of beggars. We all have these weaknesses. This means we are all also in danger of being led and guided towards the downfall of our human value. We want to own and enjoy the world. These three ‘tools’; anger, lust and greed, are very strong, powerful and unconquerable. Never laugh at somebody who has sometimes been conquered by any one or all three of these enemies. Besides we need to feel their pain and we pray to God that they will be saved from three enemies.

When one of these three comes into our mind, it blooms to attract us to enjoy the world, but understand that in reality we are being led to our downfall. Then we need to apply this wise saying into our selves - “Shura Dhira Jayaning rat lebur dening pangastuti”.

Do not try to face these three unconquerable enemies face to face, alone. Instead be humble, fold your hands in front of your chest and pray to them, “O most powerful tools of the illusory power of God, you are so great, I am nothing in front of you. I surrender, please bless me. Be my tool, help me in the opposite way, in a divine way, and lead me to the light, from darkness, to truth from untruth, and to eternity from the finite.”

This humility inside will surely save us from the terrible tsunamis of anger, lust and greed. Finally before saying goodnight, let us pray to God so that this powerful weapon in the form of humility will be bestowed upon us by God. And with humility we will lead our lives to blissfull life, full of peace and love.

May all be happy.

(Darmayasa)