Dewi Banowati
Dewi Banowati, who is beautiful and spoiled, is the consort of Prabu Anom Suyudana or Duryudana of Astinapura. The daughter of Prabu Salya from the Mandaraka Kingdom has five siblings. Her sister, Dewi Erawati, when she grew up became the wife of King Baladewa.
Dewi Surtikanti became the wife of Adipati Karna. Banowati, the third child, became Suyudana's wife, even though she really loved Arjuna. He still has two younger siblings, namely Burisrawa and Rukmarata.
When Arjuna helped Baladewa find Dewi Erawati who was kidnapped by Kartawiyoga, Banowati became acquainted with the handsome knight.
Soon he fell in love with Arjuna. Even though Arjuna actually did not reject the love of Prabu Salya's daughter, his teenage love ran aground, because finally Dewi Banowati was forced to become the wife of Prabu Anom Suyudana at the insistence of her father and brother-in-law, Baladewa.
He was willing to marry Suyudana on the condition that when he was going to be a bride, it was Arjuna who bathed and made up for her. Although this condition really offended Suyudana, the ruler of Astina finally agreed to it.
Some of the puppeteers said that when she was bathed and made up, Dewi Banowati received a magic spell from Arjuna which caused her to remain like a virgin, even after giving birth to a child.
In the wayang, Dewi Banowati is an example of a female character who is not loyal to her husband. After marrying Suyudana, Banowati still loves Arjuna. This feeling of love also saved the soul of Burisrawa, Banowati's sister.
Burisrawa one day broke into Arjuna's residence in Kasatrian Madukara and tried to rape Dewi Wara Subhadra, Arjuna's wife. In an effort to maintain her honor, Dewi Subhadra was stabbed to death by the Keris of Burisrawa.
The son of Prabu Salyapati was finally caught and should have been sentenced to death, but Dewi Banowati soon came and persuaded Arjuna, so that Burisrawa was pardoned and finally released.
In various puppetry stories, it is often told vaguely about the illicit relationship and affair between Banowati and Arjuna. When Banowati gave birth to her first child, the baby's face turned out to be very similar to Arjuna's.
This fact deeply disturbed Banowati and Arjuna, because they were worried that their affair would be exposed. Therefore Arjuna then begged the gods so that Banowati's son would not be like him. The request was granted, and the baby's face changed to that of Suyudana.
Banowati's first child is named Lesmana Mandrakumara, whose behavior is like that of a mentally weak person. Their second child, named Lesmanawati, was born as a beautiful daughter. Lesmana Mandrakumara was killed by Abhimanyu in Baratayuda, while Dewi Lesmanawati was married to Warsakusuma, the son of Adipati Karna.
Prior to and during Baratayuda, several Kurawa figures suspected that Dewi Banowati had often leaked the secrets of the Kauravas to the Pandavas. Bambang Aswatama, Begawan Drona's only son, is one of the Kurawa followers who hate Dewi Banowati.
Moreover, when Baratayuda finished, Banowati, who was already a widow, was happy to be Arjuna's wife. With an overflowing grudge and burning hatred, one night Aswatama managed to infiltrate the Astina Palace and kill Banowati.
Although the beauty and grace of her body is impeccable, Dewi Banowati is not an example of a good female character in wayang. Her love for Arjuna made Banowati as a wife not only ignore and demean her husband's authority, but also betray him.
Some of the puppeteers of Wayang Kulit Purwa even positioned Banowati as a target for ridicule. Ki Dalang, among others, uses panakawan figures to express his satire or ridicule. Usually Petruk figures are shown for that purpose.
In addition, in several plays by Banowati, she was also given the role of an easy woman. For example, in the play Brajadenta-Brajamusti, or Brajadenta Mbalela, it is said that Brajadenta transformed into Gatotkaca, and then seduced Dewi Banowati.
Regarding Dewi Banowati's disgraceful character, in fact the entire Kurawa family also knew or suspected her. But because of Duryodhana's attitude of protecting his wife, they did not react openly. They are afraid of their elder brother.
Only Aswatama, the only son of Begawan Drona, secretly holds a grudge against the Empress Astina. The name Banowati, in the Mahabharata is written Bhanu-matti, which means 'woman shining like the sun'. The word 'banu' or 'bhanu' means sun, while the word 'matti' or 'wati' indicates that she is a woman.
In the art of Wayang Kulit Purwa, the character of Dewi Banowati is depicted in two wandas, namely Wanda Golek and Wanda Berok.
Apart from Wayang Purwa, the name Dewi Banowati is also found on Wayang Krucil or Klitik, and on the Langendriyan stage. This Banowati is the wife of Duke Ranggalawe of Tuban. They have three children, namely Dewi Sekati, Watangan, and Buntaran.
Actions involving Banowati:
Kartawiyoga Maling
Alap-Alapan Surtikanti
Suyudana Rabi
Subdra Larung
Brajadenta-Brajamusti
Aswatama Nglandak