The Conflict of Ida Dalem Tarukan: From a Royal Throne to a Fugitive's Path in Ancient Bali

Ida Dalem Tarukan, the son of Sri Aji Dalem Kresna Kepakisan from the Samprangan palace, is a key figure in the history of Ancient Bali. His life was marked by internal kingdom conflict and a long period as a fugitive, which shaped his legacy and impact on Balinese society to this day. His father, Sri Aji Dalem Kresna Kepakisan, became the king of Bali in the 14th century. Ida Dalem Tarukan established a palace (puri) in Tarukan, Pejeng, Gianyar, and was known for his concern for his people.

AI Illustration, A Marriage Without Blessing (Source : Private Collection)

The root of the problem began with a promise. Ida Dalem Tarukan vowed that if his adopted son, Kuda Pinandang Kajar, recovered from a serious illness, he would be married to Dewa Ayu Muter, who was the daughter of his own brother, Dalem Samprangan. When Kuda Pinandang Kajar recovered, Ida Dalem Tarukan fulfilled his promise. However, the marriage was conducted without seeking permission or blessing from Dalem Samprangan, the supreme ruler. This act was considered a serious breach of royal ethics and an insult to the authority of Dalem Samprangan.

AI Illustration, Conflict and Sacrifice at the Tarukan Palace (Source : Private Collection)

Dalem Samprangan's anger peaked. Feeling his authority had been undermined, he mobilized a large number of royal troops to attack and destroy his brother's residence in Tarukan. Faced with an overwhelming military threat and the potential for bloodshed among relatives and his people, Ida Dalem Tarukan made a decision that was both heroic and tragic. To quell the conflict and prevent destruction, he chose to sacrifice himself. He decided to leave the palace alone, ordering his troops not to fight and to surrender, and willingly left behind his pregnant wife.

AI Illustration, The Escape of Ida Dalem Tarukan (Source : Private Collection)

After deciding to leave his palace alone, Ida Dalem Tarukan began a new chapter of his life as a fugitive. The early days of his escape were extremely difficult, as the troops from Samprangan relentlessly hunted him. This pressure forced him to constantly move from one place to another and to always be vigilant so that his identity would not be revealed. To survive and hide his tracks, he relinquished all his noble attributes and luxuries. He then fully disguised himself as an ordinary farmer, even working in the fields to blend in with the common people.

His long journey took him across various remote villages in the mountainous regions. His route is recorded as passing through the Taro area in Gianyar and the Subak Pulesari area, before he finally found a safe place to settle in Pulasari Village, Tembuku, Bangli. By successfully isolating himself and erasing his tracks, Ida Dalem Tarukan eventually managed to appease the anger of Dalem Samprangan, who then ended the pursuit. It was in Pulasari Village that his flight ended and he began a new life, where he was highly respected by the local community for his simplicity and wisdom.

AI Illustration, The Eternal Legacy of Pulasari: From Banished Prince to Holy Figure (Source : Private Collection)

Although he never returned to the throne or officially reconciled with his brother, the conflict found its resolution indirectly. By exiling himself, Ida Dalem Tarukan succeeded in calming Dalem Samprangan's anger and ending the chase. In Pulasari, he built a new life and earned the sincere respect of the local community for his wisdom and humility. His legacy was no longer measured by power, but by his example. The story of his sacrifice has been preserved for generations by the people and his descendants (Sentana Dalem Tarukan) through chronicles (babad) and the establishment of the central Padharman Temple in Pulasari. This was the resolution of his conflict: his transformation from an exiled prince into a revered holy figure, whose legacy lives on eternally in Balinese culture and spirituality.

REFERENCES

Pulasari, Jro Mangku, 2007. Babad Pulasari dan Bhisama Ida Bhatara Dalem Tarukan. Denpasar: Paramita

Wikarman, I Nyoman Singgih, 1998. Leluhur Orang Bali dari Dunia Babad dan Sejarah. Denpasar: Paramita

Sentana Dalem Tarukan, Para Gotra, 2011. Babad Dalem Tarukan Ketusan Saking Babad-Babad Pulasari. PT.Tohpati Grafika