The Legend of Garuda and the Five Symbols of Pancasila

Long ago, before the islands of Indonesia were united, the land was divided into many kingdoms, each with its own beliefs, customs, and way of life. These kingdoms often lived in harmony, but at times, there were conflicts between them as they struggled for power and resources. In the skies above these lands soared the mighty Garuda, a great bird with golden feathers and wings that could cover the sun. Garuda was a symbol of strength, wisdom, and justice, watching over the land and its people.

One day, as the kingdoms grew more divided, the gods feared that the people would destroy themselves through endless conflict. They summoned Garuda, the chosen protector of the land, and gave him a great mission.

In the realm of the gods, Garuda stood before Batara Guru, the supreme god of the archipelago, who ruled over the universe and maintained balance.

Batara Guru: "Garuda, great bird of wisdom, the people of the land are drifting apart. Their divisions threaten to destroy the harmony we have worked to build. You must help them unite."

Garuda bowed his head, his eyes glowing with determination.

Garuda: "I will do as you command, Batara Guru. But how can I unite so many people with different beliefs, customs, and traditions?"

Batara Guru smiled and lifted his hand. In a flash of divine light, five sacred symbols appeared, glowing with powerful energy. Each symbol represented an essential value that could guide the people toward unity.

Batara Guru: "These are the five principles of unity, the foundations of a just and harmonious society. You must carry these symbols on your wings and teach the people their meaning. Only then can they unite under a shared vision for peace and prosperity."

Garuda looked upon the five symbols, each one radiating with power, and knew that this would not be an easy task. But his heart was strong, and his mission clear.

As Garuda flew across the archipelago, he carried with him a golden scroll bearing the ancient inscription, "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika", which means "Unity in Diversity." The gods had given this sacred motto to remind the people that, though they came from different cultures, religions, and ways of life, they could still come together as one.

On his journey, Garuda visited each kingdom, spreading the wisdom of the five sacred symbols, which later became known as the Pancasila.

1. The Star (Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa): In a kingdom where people worshipped many gods, Garuda landed in the capital square. He raised his voice to the people and pointed to the shining star he carried on his wing.

Garuda: "This star represents belief in one supreme God. Though you may call the divine by different names, all faiths lead to the same source of light. Embrace this belief and find unity in your spiritual diversity."

The people, who had been divided by their different religions, began to see the value in honoring each other's beliefs. They welcomed Garuda's message and shared the symbol of the star with neighboring lands.

2. The Chain (Kemanusiaan Yang Adil dan Beradab): In another kingdom, Garuda found people suffering under the rule of a cruel king. The people were treated unjustly, and their cries for fairness went unheard. Garuda landed before the king and unfurled a golden chain from his talon.

Garuda: "This chain represents justice and civilized humanity. Just as every link in this chain is connected, so too are all humans connected in their pursuit of dignity and equality. Rule with compassion, for a kingdom without justice cannot stand."

Moved by Garuda’s words, the king reformed his rule, bringing justice and fairness to the people. The chain became a symbol of unity through humanity and compassion.

3. The Banyan Tree (Persatuan Indonesia): As Garuda continued his journey, he reached an island where the people lived in small, isolated tribes. These tribes often fought over land and resources. Garuda descended from the skies and landed beneath a towering banyan tree, its branches reaching far and wide.

Garuda: "This banyan tree represents unity in diversity. Just as the tree’s branches spread far and wide, offering shelter to many, so too must you embrace unity among your people, regardless of your differences. Together, you are stronger than when divided."

The tribes, inspired by the image of the banyan tree, began to work together, uniting under a shared purpose of peace and prosperity.

4. The Bull (Kerakyatan yang Dipimpin oleh Hikmat Kebijaksanaan dalam Permusyawaratan/Perwakilan): In a distant land, Garuda found a kingdom ruled by greed, where the voices of the people were ignored. Garuda landed in the palace and presented the symbol of the mighty bull.

Garuda: "This bull represents democracy, where the people’s wisdom guides the decisions of their leaders. A ruler must listen to the voice of the people, for true leadership comes from the strength of the community."

The rulers, realizing their folly, agreed to listen to the people's voices and make decisions based on consensus and wisdom. The bull became a symbol of democracy, reminding the people that their voices mattered.

5. The Rice and Cotton (Keadilan Sosial bagi Seluruh Rakyat Indonesia): In the final kingdom, Garuda found great inequality—some lived in wealth, while many others starved. Garuda landed in the marketplace and displayed the symbol of rice and cotton.

Garuda: "These represent social justice for all. Just as rice sustains the body and cotton clothes the people, so too must wealth and resources be shared equally among all. Only when everyone’s needs are met can there be true justice."

The kingdom, touched by Garuda’s message, restructured its society to ensure that everyone could prosper together. The rice and cotton symbolized the commitment to social justice for all.

As Garuda traveled from kingdom to kingdom, spreading the wisdom of the five sacred symbols, the people began to change. The once divided lands started to come together under a common understanding. The sacred motto, "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," echoed in every village and city, reminding the people that their differences were their strength, not their weakness.

The five symbols—the star, the chain, the banyan tree, the bull, and the rice and cotton—were embraced by all the kingdoms, and soon, the entire archipelago united as one great nation, bound by the principles of Pancasila.

Garuda, having completed his mission, returned to the skies, watching over the land that had embraced peace, justice, and unity. From that day forward, Garuda became the national symbol of Indonesia, carrying the sacred scroll of "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" in its talons and embodying the ideals of the Pancasila for generations to come.

And so, the legend of Garuda lives on, a reminder that through wisdom, justice, and unity, even the most diverse of people can come together as one.

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This story, The Legend of Garuda and the Five Symbols of Pancasila, highlights the deep cultural and philosophical foundations of Indonesia’s national ideology, emphasizing unity in diversity and the guiding principles of Pancasila.