Inao

Part 1: The Kingdom and the Birth of the Characters

In ancient Java, many kingdoms were ruled by kings. Those of the divine lineage—believed to descend from the gods—used the title “Raden”, while other kings used “Ratu.”
This story begins with four royal brothers of the divine lineage:
Thao Kurepan, Thao Daha, Thao Kahalang, and Thao Singhasari, each ruling their own kingdoms bearing the same names.
Each king had five queens, ranked by status:
the chief queen (Pramesuri), followed by Madevi, Mato, Liku, and Mahalahonghi.
The chief queens of Kurepan and Daha were daughters of the king of Manya, strengthening ties between the kingdoms.

• Kurepan had a son, Krahat Tapatī, betrothed to Busbaraka, daughter of Kahalang.
• Later, after performing rituals, Kurepan’s chief queen gave birth to a son under auspicious signs. A divine being, Patara Kahala, descended from heaven and bestowed a sacred dagger, naming the child Inao (Ihena).
• She later gave birth to a daughter, Wiyada.

Meanwhile:

• Daha’s queen gave birth to a daughter, Busaba, whose birth filled the city with fragrance, and later a son, Siyatra.
• Kahalang had a daughter, Sakaranuengrat.
• Singhasari had a son, Suharanakong, and a daughter, Jindasari.

The royal families arranged betrothals:

• Inao ↔ Busaba
• Krahat Tapatī ↔ Busbaraka
• Siyatra ↔ Wiyada
• Suharanakong ↔ Sakaranuengrat

But before the weddings could take place, complications arose.

Part 2: Conflict

The trouble begins when Inao travels to Manya for his grandmother’s funeral and falls in love with Jintara, the king’s daughter. He refuses to return home, forcing his father to summon him back.
Even after returning, Inao is unwilling to marry Busaba. He devises a plan—leaving the palace and disguising himself as a forest bandit named Misara Panyi. Leading an army, he conquers many cities, gaining power and followers.
Among those who submit to him are rulers who offer daughters and sons:

• Mahayarasami and Sakarawati become his consorts
• Sangkhamarata becomes his sworn brother and loyal warrior

When he reaches Manya, he secretly reunites with Jintara and consummates their love.
Meanwhile, Daha prepares Busaba’s wedding. When Inao refuses, Daha becomes furious and promises her to Ratu Joraka, an unattractive dark-skinned king.
Another king, Kramangkuning, also seeks Busaba’s hand but is rejected, leading him to wage war on Daha. Kurepan orders Inao to fight. Though reluctant to leave Jintara, Inao goes and wins the war, killing Kramangkuning.
After the victory, Inao meets Busaba and is struck by her beauty, falling deeply in love. He schemes to win her:

• sending secret messages
• sneaking into sacred places
• deceiving others to get close to her

When Busaba is about to marry Joraka, Inao resorts to his final plan—burning the city and abducting her, making her his queen.

Part 3: New Problems and Separation

Even after Inao and Busaba unite, trouble continues. The god Patara Kahala, angered by Inao’s reckless actions, punishes him by separating the lovers.
A magical wind carries Busaba away to another kingdom. Inao, unable to find her, disguises himself again and wanders in search of her.
Busaba is transformed into a man named Unakan and given a magical dagger. She becomes a warrior and travels in search of Inao.
Both travel across kingdoms, conquering lands, unaware they are searching for each other. Eventually, they meet—but do not recognize one another at first.
After many trials, disguises, and emotional encounters, their identities are finally revealed. They are reunited after long, directionless wandering (“mangum mangara”).

Part 4: Resolution

All the kings of the divine lineage gather at Kahalang. After understanding everything, they proceed with the long-delayed royal marriages.

• Inao marries Busaba and Jintara (Busaba as chief queen)
• Siyatra marries Wiyada
• Suharanakong marries Sakaranuengrat
• Krahat Tapatī marries Busbaraka

The kingdoms are restored to order:

• Suharanakong rules Singhasari
• Krahat Tapatī rules Kahalang

All positions of queens are filled according to royal tradition.
In the end, after countless struggles, misunderstandings, disguises, and separations, love and order are restored—bringing the epic tale to a complete and harmonious conclusion.