DI PADANG KURUSETRA

Oleh Cak Mus

–

bersamamu di padang kurusetra
perang jadi kumandang rindu
aku bukan panah pedang menghadang
jabat erat tanganmu menghapus individu
melepas semua aku luruh kacak pinggang
kaku

pandawa-kurawa, mengapa harus puput seteru
lancung bertahta dalam gersang jiwa
punakawan tidak butuh pertikaian
kedamaian setipis kain kafan
keamanan menebas pedang nyaman
tenteram semayam hati dambaan

krisna, berpihaklah pada keutuhan
setiap perang sia-sia kemanusiaan
darah mengalir memerah iblis dendam
bumi perih kecewa tanpa jeda
mengering luka kawah kegetiran

lalu ki dalang teriak pakem kesalahan
mengacak seluruh wayang kemabukan
gamelan tak lagi langgam palagan
kukut larut malam sunyi tetabuhan
semar memandang langit hamparan rasi:
Tuhan, damaikanlah anak cucu kami

-000-

IN THE FIELD OF KURUSETRA

With you in the field of Kurusetra
War becomes an echo of longing
I’m not an arrow or sword
Your firm handshake erases individuality
Releasing everything, I surrender
The Pandava-Kurawa, why must it end in strife?
The enemy lurks, enthroned in the desert of the soul
The Punakawan don’t need conflict
Peace is as thin as a shroud
Security cuts down the sword
Comfort and tranquility reside in the heart
O Krishna, take sides with wholeness
Every war is futile
Humanity bleeds, red
The devil of vengeance, the earth of sorrow
Pain and disappointment, without pause
The wounds of the cauldron dry
Then the puppeteer cries, “Pakem!”
Mistakes scramble the whole wayang
The gamelan’s intoxication, no longer melodious
The battlefield’s turmoil dissolves into the silent night
Semar gazes at the sky, a canvas of stars: God, pacify our children

-000-

bersamamu di padang kurusetra
perang jadi kumandang rindu
aku bukan panah pedang menghadang
jabat erat tanganmu menghapus individu
melepas semua aku luruh kacak pinggang
kaku

pandawa-kurawa, mengapa harus puput seteru
lancung bertahta dalam gersang jiwa
punakawan tidak butuh pertikaian
kedamaian setipis kain kafan
keamanan menebas pedang nyaman
tenteram semayam hati dambaan

krisna, berpihaklah pada keutuhan
setiap perang sia-sia kemanusiaan
darah mengalir memerah iblis dendam
bumi perih kecewa tanpa jeda
mengering luka kawah kegetiran

lalu ki dalang teriak pakem kesalahan
mengacak seluruh wayang kemabukan
gamelan tak lagi langgam palagan
kukut larut malam sunyi tetabuhan
semar memandang langit hamparan rasi:
Tuhan, damaikanlah anak cucu kami

-000-

IN THE FIELD OF KURUSETRA

With you in the field of Kurusetra
War becomes an echo of longing
I’m not an arrow or sword
Your firm handshake erases individuality
Releasing everything, I surrender
The Pandava-Kurawa, why must it end in strife?
The enemy lurks, enthroned in the desert of the soul
The Punakawan don’t need conflict
Peace is as thin as a shroud
Security cuts down the sword
Comfort and tranquility reside in the heart
O Krishna, take sides with wholeness
Every war is futile
Humanity bleeds, red
The devil of vengeance, the earth of sorrow
Pain and disappointment, without pause
The wounds of the cauldron dry
Then the puppeteer cries, “Pakem!”
Mistakes scramble the whole wayang
The gamelan’s intoxication, no longer melodious
The battlefield’s turmoil dissolves into the silent night
Semar gazes at the sky, a canvas of stars: God, pacify our children

Lamongan, 14-01-2026