Hayam Wuruk

Hayam Vuruk (; ; ) (1334–1389), also called Rajasanagara, Pa-ta-na-pa-na-wu, or Bhatara Prabhu after 1350, was a Javanese Hindu emperor from the Rajasa dynasty and the 4th emperor of the Majapahit Empire. He was preceded by Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi, and succeeded by his son-in-law Wikramawardhana.

Most of the accounts of his life were taken from the Nagarakretagama, a eulogy to Hayam Wuruk, and the Pararaton ("Book of Kings"), a Javanese historical chronicle.

Early life

According to the Nagarakretagama, Canto 1, Stanzas 4 and 5, he was born in 1256 Saka year, corresponding to 1334 CE, the same year that Mount Kelud erupted. Mpu Prapanca, author of the Nagarakretagama, argued that this was the divine sign that Batara Girinata (the Javanese name for Shiva Mahadewa) had manifested himself on earth, reincarnated as the Javanese king.

His birth name was Hayam Wuruk, preceded by the title dyah, indicating noble status. Hayam Wuruk's name can be translated as "scholar rooster". He was the only son of Queen regnant Tribhuwanotunggadewi and Prince Kertawardhana (or Cakradhara). His mother was the daughter of King Kertarajasa Jayawardhana, founder of Majapahit, while his father was the Prince of Tumapel "Bhre Tumapel", a lesser king of Singhasari. During Queen Tribhuwana's reign, he was also called Kumararaja Jiwana, which means Viceroy of Jiwana or Kahuripan. He had a younger sister named Dyah Nertaja, styled as the Princess of Pajang. The Princess of Pajang was mentioned as a daughter of (Kerta)wardhana in Nagarakretagama, thus making it obvious that she was Hayam Wuruk's biological sister, whose royal name was Wardhanaduhiteswari, in which Krom interpreted as "The illustrious Wardhana's daughter, Iswari". The manuscript described Hayam Wuruk's royal excursion around the Majapahit realm to visit villages, holy shrines, vassal kingdoms, and territory in East Java. He sent ambassadors to China from 1370 to 1381. at that time. His mother was Hayam Wuruk's sister, Princess Iswari. She was described as a perfect princess with beautiful eyes and slender arches, as well as praised because of her beauty. Upon Wikramawardhana's reigned, she was mentioned as Bhre Lasem Sang Ahayu "the Fair Princess of Lasem" in Pararaton.

However, from a concubine, Hayam Wuruk had a son, the 2nd Prince of Wirabhumi (his birth name was unknown), granted the title from his marriage to his cousin, Nagarawardhani, 1st Princess of Wirabhumi (then she bore the title 2nd Princess of Lasem), also known as Bhre Lasem Sang Alemu "The Fat Princess of Lasem".

After Hayam Wuruk died in 1389, and the empire fell into chaos and decline during the contest over succession between Wikramawardhana and Wirabhumi. The dispute ended in Wirabhumi's defeat in the Regreg war. Wikramawardhana succeeded Hayam Wuruk as the King of Majapahit.

Legacy

His reign, as part of Indosphere culturally, helped further Indianisation of Javanese culture through the spread of Hinduism and Sanskritization.

In popular culture

In video games Hayam Wuruk appeared as a playable commander in the mobile game Rise of Kingdoms.