The Kakawin Ghatotkacasraya by Mpu Panuluh: Edited and Translated by Stuart Robson

This volume in the Javanese Studies series presents the Old Javanese text and English translation of one of the classic examples of the kakawin literature, the Ghatotkacasraya, by the court poet Mpu Panuluh. This was written toward the end of the 12th century in East Java, under King Krtajaya.
It is a romantic story of the love between Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna, and Princess Ksiti Sundarl, the daughter of King Krtajaya . But the course of true love does not run smooth! The tale is thoroughly Javanese, but there are indications that the author was fami liar with a similar theme found in South Indian vernaculars, as explained in the Introduction.
By publishing this example of Old Javanese literature, it is hoped to promote awareness of the existence of the literature and of its many delightful features, as a product of the Hinduistic civilization of early Java.
The Ghatotkacasraya has not been published before. The editor and translator, Adjunct Professor Stuart Robson of Monash University, has had many years' experience of grappling with the knotty problems associated with this genre of Old Javanese literature.