The Sacred Art of Leak: Mystical Transformation from Monkey to Golden Bade

Amidst the circulating negative stigma, it is important to understand that Liak is not merely black magic as often portrayed in popular stories. The essence of Liak lies in the placement of sacred letters within the human body, a practice that enables one to transcend ordinary physical and mental limitations. Like any form of knowledge, Liak is neutral - similar to a knife that can be used to cut vegetables or to inflict harm.

Its power and influence entirely depend on the practitioner's intention and wisdom. In Balinese tradition, this practice can lead to three natures: satwika (virtue), rajasika (ego-driven desires), or tamasika (darkness). In Balinese tradition, Liak has several levels that reflect one's spiritual achievement, ranging from the basic level to the highest level known as Bade Emas. However, these levels are not specifically explained in the pengleakan manuscripts due to their highly secretive nature and closure from the outside world.

Leak Bojog (Source : Author Collection)

Leak Bojog or monkey Leak: This type of Leak cannot harm humans directly, but rather frightens people who see it, characterized by its appearance as a pitch-black monkey that instills fear in anyone who witnesses it.

Leak Bawi (Source : Author Collection)

Leak Bawi or Pig Leak: This type of Leak also cannot harm humans directly. It appears in the form of a pig that is larger than ordinary pigs, making it very difficult to distinguish from real animals. However, this pig-formed Leak typically performs its rituals around graveyards.

Leak Cicing (Source : Author Collection)

Leak Cicing or Dog Leak: This type of Leak also cannot harm humans directly. It can only frighten people with its terrifying appearance, characterized by red eyes and a protruding tongue. This type of Leak typically appears around graveyards, in front of its target's house, and at dimly lit crossroads.

Leak Pitik Bengil (Source : Author Collection)

Leak Pitik Bengil or Wet Black Chick: This type of Leak belongs to the 'pengiwa' or left-hand practice that can harm people. Not everyone can achieve this level of Leak. In the Balinese language, 'pitik' means chick, and 'bengil' means soaking wet. Therefore, those who have mastered this form of Leak can transform themselves into a chick with pitch-black feathers that appears soaking wet or covered in mud.

Leak Gegendu (Source : Author Collection)

Leak Gegendu or Three-legged Horse: This type of Leak takes the form of a horse-like creature with only three legs. This Leak typically appears or performs its 'ngereh' ritual at night and often manifests itself around cemetery areas. This Leak belongs to the intermediate level category, and therefore, it has the ability to harm humans as part of perfecting its practice.

Leak Bojog Putih (Source : Author Collection)

Leak Bojog Putih or White Monkey: This Leak takes the form of a monkey with white fur, different from the ordinary monkey-formed Leak. This type possesses higher powers and can harm its targets. It requires a long period of dedicated practice for practitioners to master this level of knowledge.

Leak Jaka Tunggul (Source : Author Collection)

Leak Jaka Tunggul or Leafless Palm Tree: Leak Jaka Tunggul appears as a palm tree without leaves, but its trunk is surrounded by fire. Practitioners of this form of Leak can harm their victims as it belongs to the intermediate level of Leak practice.

Leak Pengiwa Empu Baradah (Source : Author Collection)

Leak Pangiwa Empu Baradah: Very few are capable of learning this form of Leak Pangiwa Empu Baradah as it belongs to the highest level of Leak practice. It requires practitioners to dedicate an extensive period of time to master this form.

Leak Garuda Putih (Source : Author Collection)

Leak Garuda Putih (White Garuda): Similar to the previous one, Leak Garuda Putih is classified as a high-level Leak practice. This type of Leak does not harm people indiscriminately; only targeted individuals will be able to see this form of Leak. There are very few ancient manuscripts (lontar) that discuss this White Garuda Leak.

Leak Sampiyan Emas (Source : Author Collection)

Leak Sampiyan Emas (Golden Sampiyan Leak): Leak Sampiyan Emas derives its name from 'sampiyan,' which means offerings or ceremonial materials used in Hindu rituals. This Leak is distinguished by the presence of offerings or sampiyan on its head. It is said that anything this Leak passes over will be burned to ashes. This Leak does not reveal itself arbitrarily; it will only manifest when confronting practitioners who possess equal or higher levels of mystical knowledge.

Leak Garuda Emas (Source : Author Collection)

Leak Garuda Emas (Golden Garuda): Similar to the previously mentioned White Garuda Leak, but this represents an even higher level. This type of Leak is characterized by its golden feathers. According to those who have experienced its presence, the arrival of this Leak is marked by powerful gusts of wind created by its wing beats and a large shadow that encircles the target's house. It is said that if someone witnesses these signs and the practitioner successfully completes their ritual, the target will certainly die the following day.

Leak Bade Emas (Source : Author Collection)

Leak Bade Emas (Golden Bade): Leak Bade, also known as the corpse-carrying tower with 21 levels (tumpang selikur), is considered the highest known level of Leak to date. Very few have witnessed this type of Leak, as practitioners at this level no longer require infant blood to perfect their knowledge. This type of Leak will not reveal itself arbitrarily. Historically, only Mpu Baradah is known to have encountered and fought against this manifestation. This form of Leak was ultimately defeated and destroyed by Mpu Baradah using a power called ghani astra.

The knowledge of Leak is an ancient practice that can be studied through various palm leaf manuscripts (lontar) containing teachings about Leak. During the era of Erlangga, when Calonarang was still alive, there were several important manuscripts such as Cabraberag, Sampian Emas, Tangting Mas, and Jung Biru that served as sources for learning this knowledge. The tradition of writing manuscripts about Leak continued until the reign of King Udayana in Bali, where I Gede Basur made significant contributions by writing two Leak manuscripts known as Lontar Durga Bhairawi and Lontar Ratuning Kawisesari, both containing techniques of Ngereh Leak Desti.

In addition to these manuscripts, there are several other lontars that can be used as references in studying Leak knowledge, including Lontar Tantra Bhairawa, Kanda Pat, and Siwa Tantra. It's important to understand that in studying Leak knowledge, there are certain limitations that depend on the spiritual level or spiritual stage being studied by the practitioner. This indicates that Leak knowledge is not just ordinary knowledge, but a spiritual teaching that requires a certain level of understanding and spiritual maturity to study.

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