The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (57)

He gazes outside, from the shrine window he sees the moon shining. He pours incense on the fireplace again, and sprinkles jasmine flowers over Sumantri's head.

The holy fireplace continues to burn. On its top, Begawan Swandagni sprinkles ground pepper, nutmeg and red ginger. "This is the trikatuka concoction, Sumantri, that will remind you of your trikaya (the concept of three bodies) and darma (religious and moral duties) as a knight. The following is your three darma as a knight: Always beware of your lust, control your lust within yourself and, by doing so, you will make submissive the selfish greed of lust, which occurs because of its power. Controlling the lust in silence far away from the world’s crowds may be easier than controlling the lust in magnificent power in the middle of the world's pleasure, Sumantri. That is why you must always remember the words 'a priest meditates on the top of the silence, the knight meditates on the tip of the sword'. In Jatisrana, you have graduated in silence. In Maespati, you will just learn how difficult it is to meditate in power. Don't you ever feel that you have become a knight before you manage to execute your darma as a knight. Be careful, power can always make you right, but the power will also make you wrong and lead you to your true fall. Indeed, power always cheats if it is covered by lust. So, remember my message, if you're not careful about your lust, without realizing it, the sword of power will stab you from behind, my son."

Sumantri is silent, listening and absorbing all his father's advice.