Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c20.s5.36

v2.c20.s5.36

We next come to the most flourishing period of the Old-Javanese literature, *viz.*, the reign of Jayabhaya (1135-1157 A.D.). The greatest work of this period, which has all along enjoyed a very high degree of reputation is Bhārata-yuddha,¹ an independent work based on the Udyoga-parva, Bhīṣma-parva, Droṇa-parva, Karṇa-parva, and Śalya-parva of the Sanskrit Mahābhārata, in other words, those parts of the great Epic of India which deal with the great war. It is written in simple but epic style, and its grandeur, according to Juynbol, is comparable to that of the Greek epics. It was written by Mpu Sedah in 1157 A.D. by order of the Kaḍirian king Jayabhaya. According to one tradition, the poet incurred royal displeasure and the work was completed by Mpu Panuluh. As in the Rāmāyaṇa, there are many interpolations—mostly love-episodes—in this work. The continued popularity of the work is testified to by a New-Javanese version named Bratajuda.