Part I : Kertha Gosa

A. Meaning and History
Kertha Gosa was a building/place for solving problems concerning security, prosperity, and justice of the Kingdom of Bali. It was not know exactly who was the founder, but according to CANDRA SENGKALA *) carved at Pemedal Agung (a.in door palace) it had been in existance in the year Caka, Cakra Yuyu Paksi Paksi which means the year Caka 1622 or arround the year 1700 A.D, when Dewa Agung Jambe governed teh Kingdom of Klungkung

note : *) CANDRA SENGKALA : is way of writing the year by using pictures of animals or plants which represent certain figures.

B. Functions and Contents
During the era of the Kingdom of Bali, every year on "Purnamaning Kapat" i.e on full moon of the fourth month of the Balinese calendar, a meeting was held at Kertha Gosa attended by the regional kings throughout Bali where the high king of Klungkung gave his direction and decision concerning problem in accordance with the needs and the situation of the Kingdom of Bali.

Every month on "Buda Kliwon" or special Wednesday, the high king of Klungkung held a meeting attended by "Manca" (assistance of the king) in the regency of Klungkung. And besides Kertha Gosa was also used for receiving foreigners who wished to meet the King.

On April 28, 1908 Dutch's soldiers came to Klungkung to conquerthe King of Klungkung. But the King and his people gave massive resistace to Dutch's soldiers and bloodshed could not be avoided. The people of Klungkung and his king gave the last resistance (Puputan) to Dutch's soldiers and the last Klungkung was ruled by Dutch.

Since then Kertha Gosa functioned as court of justice, that solved the problem concerning customs, also acted againts the usual religious practices.
The court was equipped with one table and six chairs. the chair with the symbol of lion was for the King as chief of court of justice. The chair with the symbol of cow was for the priest as a lawyer and adviser of the King in making decision. The chair with the symbol of dragon was for secretary.

The people being tried sat politely cross leg on the floor. Some times also called "Kontrolir" (a Dutch officer who controls the region) was present at the court when there was very special trial.

There are five statues, three of which were made by Chinese sculptor and the other two were made by Pedanda Gede Kereta a Balinese priest from the village of Dawan. On the ceiling there are pictures of WAYANG (Balinese shadow play). These pictures show :

1. The lowest part is about "TANTRI KANDAKA" which describes about all kinds of cheating found in society.

2. The second and the third part is about "ATMA PRESANGSA" which describes about punishment and sufferings of the souls of the dead. Bima Sena saw all these on his way to find his parrent souls. The story of the punishment of the souls is known as the Law of Karma.

3. The fourth part is a story of "SANG GARUDA AMERTA" a mithical bird in the form of a big eagle which is looking for the water of eternal life. This story is taken from Adiparwa.

4. the fifth part is a story about "PELELINDON" (Earth-Quake). Earth Quake could forecast what might or might not the world in the near future.

5. The sixth and seventh part, Bima Sena met God in heaven. He was fighting to rescue his father's and mother's souls from punishment.

6. The eighth part is about "SORGA ROH" a special place in heaven which is provided for the souls of those who faithfully follow the teaching of their religion or for those who have done many good deeds in life.

7. The ninth part is the story of God who guard the equilibrium of the world.