The origin of Buleleng and Singaraja

Once upon a time, on the island of Bali, there was a kingdom ruled by King Sri Bagening, a wise king beloved by his people. Together with his queen, Ni Luh Pasek, they were blessed with a son named I Gede Pasekan. Since childhood, Gede Pasekan had been raised by a trusted royal aide, Ki Jelantik Bogol, who cared for him with love as if he were his own child.

As Gede Pasekan grew into a young man, he became known for his kindness and humility. Despite being the son of a king, he often mingled with ordinary people, walking alone without any guards. One day, when he turned twenty years old, King Sri Bagening summoned him to the palace.

“My son, you are now an adult,” said Sri Bagening, looking at his son seriously.

“Father, is there something you wish to tell me?” Gede Pasekan asked respectfully.

The king smiled slightly and continued, “It is time for you to go to the village of Panji, your mother’s birthplace.”

Gede Pasekan was surprised and asked, “Why do I need to go there, Father? Is there an important task for me in that village?”

The king explained, “The village of Panji is your mother’s ancestral land, Ni Luh Pasek. There, you will discover a part of your destiny. I am also giving you two royal heirlooms to accompany you on your journey.”

The king then handed over two heirlooms: a kris named Ki Baru Semang and a spear called Ki Tunjung Tutur. “Take these with you. They will protect you,” said Sri Bagening as he handed the heirlooms to his son.

Gede Pasekan respectfully accepted the heirlooms and said, “Thank you, Father. I will carry out this task with all my heart.”

After bidding farewell to his father and mother, Gede Pasekan set out on his journey. He wore simple clothing so as not to be recognized as a prince and carried the kris and spear tucked at his waist.

One night, after several days of traveling, Gede Pasekan decided to rest under a large tree. In his sleep, he suddenly felt something watching him. When he opened his eyes, he was shocked to find himself on the shoulder of a giant.

“Who are you?! Why are you carrying me?” Gede Pasekan asked firmly, though his heart was pounding.

The giant did not answer. He continued carrying Gede Pasekan to the top of a tall hill. From there, Gede Pasekan could see a vast landscape—towering mountains in the distance and a wide ocean before him. Upon reaching the summit, the giant finally spoke.

“Look to the south and north,” said the giant in a deep voice. “These lands will one day become the place where you will rule.”

Gede Pasekan stood silent, gazing at the beautiful scenery around him. “This place... will be my domain?” he muttered.

The giant then set him down and said, “Remember my words. This is where your destiny lies.” After that, the giant slowly disappeared, leaving Gede Pasekan in confusion.

With mixed thoughts, Gede Pasekan continued his journey to the village of Panji. He wondered about the meaning of the giant’s words and how they related to his future.

Upon arriving in the village of Panji, Gede Pasekan walked along the beach to calm his mind. Suddenly, in the distance, he saw a large ship trapped between the rocks. As he observed the ship, a man hurriedly approached him.

“Kind sir, please help me!” said the man with a voice full of worry. “I am the captain of that ship. Our ship is stuck on the rocks, and the passengers are still trapped aboard. I’ve tried everything, but nothing has worked.”

Gede Pasekan looked at the stranded ship and asked, “What can I do to help you?”

Desperately, the captain replied, “If you can save our ship, I will give you half the treasure aboard as a token of gratitude.”

Gede Pasekan gazed at the ship and said, “Very well, I will try to help.”

Calmly, Gede Pasekan sat cross-legged on the shore and focused all his energy. He held the Ki Baru Semang kris in his hand. Soon after, strong winds began to blow, and large waves crashed, slowly lifting the ship off the rocks and carrying it safely back into open waters.

The ship's captain, witnessing the miracle that had just occurred, was deeply moved. “Kind sir, thank you so much! You have saved us!” he said, bowing in respect.

True to his word, the captain gave half the treasure from the ship to Gede Pasekan. With this wealth, Gede Pasekan founded a new territory, which he named the Kingdom of Buleleng. In the heart of this region, he built a grand palace surrounded by buleleng trees. The palace was named Singaraja, meaning "lion king," symbolizing his extraordinary strength.

From that moment on, Gede Pasekan, now known as I Gusti Panji Sakti, ruled justly and wisely. His vast domain prospered, and his name became known as a mighty and wise king, forever remembered in the history of the Bali island.