Indarapatra and Sulayman (Maranao epic)

Indarapatra, a brave and wise king, taught his people the art of farming, hunting, herding, fishing, blacksmithing, weaving, and healing. His brother, Sulayman, was also a brave man who helped his brother rule wisely and well over the people.

A long, long time ago, the country that was known as Magindanaw was covered with water, and the sea extended over all the land so that nothing could be seen but mountains. All the highlands were dotted with villages and settlements where people lived in prosperity, peace, and contentment.

Suddenly, there appeared four horrible monsters which, in a short time, devoured every human being they could find.

Kurita, a horrible creature with many limbs, dwelt partly on land and partly on a mountain where the rattan grew. Here, it brought complete destruction on every living thing.

The second monster, Tarabusaw, an ugly creature in the form of a man, lived on Mt. Matutum. And far and wide from that place, he devoured the people, laying waste the land.

The third, an enormous bird called Pah, was so large that when in flight, it covered the sun and brought darkness to the Earth. Its egg was as big as a house. Mt. Bita was its haunt and the only people who escaped its greed were those who hid in caves in the mountains.

The fourth monster was a dreadful seven-headed bird with the power to see in all directions at the same time. Mt. Gurayon was its home and like the others, it wrought desolation in its region.

So great was the havoc and destruction caused by these terrible creatures that, soon, news spread even to the distant lands, where people were grieved to hear of the sad fate of Magindanaw.

Far across the sea in the land of the golden sunset, there was a city so great that one could be blinded at the sight of many people. When tidings of these disasters reached the distant city, the heart of King Indarapatra was filled with pity. Thereupon, he called his brother Sulayman. "Dear Brother," he implored," I beg you to save the land of Magindanaw from the monsters." And he related the sad fate of the people.

Sulayman listened, and he was moved to pity.

"I will go," said he, earnestness and enthusiasm adding to his strength," and that land shall be avenged."

Sulayman departed for Magindanaw and he neither walked nor used a boat, but he went through the air and landed on the mountain where the rattan grew. There, he stood on the summit and gazed about on all sides. He looked on the land and the villages, but he could see no living thing. Filled with sorrow he cried out,"Alas, how dreadful is this wasted land."

No sooner had Sulayman uttered these words when the whole mountain began to shake. Suddenly, out of the ground came the horrible creature, Kurita. It sprang at the man and sank its claws into his flesh. But Sulayman, knowing at once that this was the monster that had laid waste the land, drew his sword and cut Kurita into pieces.

Encouraged by his initial success, Sulayman proceeded to Mt. Matumtum, where conditions were even worse. As he stood on the heights viewing the great destruction, there was a defeaning noise in the forest and movement in the trees. With a loud yell leaped forth Tarabusaw. For a moment, they looked at one another, neither showing any fear.

"Who are you to disturb my abode? Do you know that I can easily devour you?" threatened the monster. And Sulayman declared that he, too, would kill him. At that, the monster broke large branches off the trees and began striking at Sulayman, who, in turn, fought back. For a long time, the fight continued, until at last, the monster fell exhausted to the ground. Then Sulayman killed him with his sword.

The next target of Sulayman was Mt. Bita. Sulayman found destruction everywhere, and though he passed many houses, not a single inhabitant was seen. As he moved around, becoming sadder at every moment, darkness fell suddenly over the land. startled, he turned towards the sky and beheld a great bird descending upon him. Immediately, he struck at it, severing off its wing with his sword. And the bird fell dead at his feet. But the monster's wing hit and crushed Sulayman.

At this very time, King Indarapatra was sitting at his window. Looking out, he saw the little tree wither.

"Alas!" he cried, "my brother is dead!" He wept bitterly. Then, in spite of his grief, he was filled with a desire for revenge. Buckling on his sword, he started for Magindanaw in search of his brother.

He, too, traveled through the air with great speed until he came to the mountain where the rattan grew. There, he looked about, awed by the great destruction. Seeing the bones of the monster Kurita, he knew that his brother had been there and had gone. He went on till he reached Matumtum, and when he saw Tarabusaw's bones he knew that this, too, was the work of Sulayman. Still searching for his brother, he arrived at Mt. Bita, where the bird Pah lay dead on the ground. When he lifted the severed wings, he beheld the bones of Sulayman with his sword by his side. Indarapatra was so frustrated with grief that he wept loudly and long. Then suddenly, he beheld a small jar of water nearby. This he knew was heaven-sent. He poured the magic water over his brother's bones. Lo! Sulayman, who was not really dead, came to life again. Indarapatra and Sulayman embraced each other and their hearts were filled with joy.

After sometime, Sulayman returned to his distant home, but Indarapatra continued his journey to Mt. Gurayon where he killed the dreadful bird with seven heads.

After the monsters had all been destroyed and peace and safety had been restored to the land, Indarapatra began searching everywhere for people hiding in the earth. One day, he caught sight of a beautiful woman at a distance. When he hastened toward her, she disappeared through a hole in the ground. Disappointed and tired, he sat down on a rock to rest. Looking about, he saw near him a pot of uncooked rice, but suddenly, he heard someone laugh nearby. Turning around, he beheld an old woman watching him. As he greeted her, she drew near and talked to him while he ate. 

"Only a few of the people are still alive." the old woman said. "They are hiding in a cave under the ground from where they never venture to go out." As for herself and her husband, she went on, they had hidden in a hollow of a tree, and they had hidden in a hollow of a tree, and they never dared leave until after Sulayman had killed the bird Pah.

At Indarapatra's earnest request, the old woman led him to the cave where he found the headman with his family and some of his people. They all gathered about the stranger, asking many questions, for that was the first time they had heard about the death of the monsters. They were filled with gratitude for Indarapatra, and the headman offered his daughter in marriage to their benefactor and deliverer. She proved to be the beautiful girl whom Indarapatra had seen earlier at the entrance of the cave.

With the monsters gone, the people came out of hiding and returned to their homes. Soon, there was peace, prosperity, and happiness. And the sees withdraw from the land and gave the lowlands back to the people.