Bali Spiritual: Pedanda

plicated rites of purification must be carried out by Brahmanic priests, or pedandas, who have been trained since youth and instructed in the magic ritual and language of the priests by a pedanda as master and finally ordained to the priesthood. They are exclusively of Brahmanic caste. They used to act as judges in the courts and being substantially the only people able to understand the several complicated Balinese calendars, are consulted when it is necessary to determine an auspicious day for commencing a specific project. such as building a temple or a house, holding a wedding ceremony or a cremation. They are essential to the ceremonies of the nobility for caste reasons, but even the poorest commoner will employ a pedanda if he is able to, particularly at cremation, when it is important to ensure that his (lead are correctly inducted into the heavens.
Balinese Brahmanas all claim descent from the mythical Wait Rauh, high priest of Madjapahit, who came to Bali and by taking many wives from various castes established the Brahmanic clans. Pedandas dedicate their lives to their theological studies and to the practice of their magic rituals, which they maintain with great secrecy. These rituals have been handed down through the Sanskrit writings of the Hindus containing the powerful magic formulae recited with mysterious sounds, accompanied by bell ringing, flower throwing and the sprinkling of holy water. Holy water itself is made by the pedandas from ordinary water by the use of these magic formulae. Its properties and its effect are much more powerful than those of holy water obtained from holy springs in the mountains or from the crater lake.