The first time I heard the story of Jayaprana, I was still a teenager. My teacher told it like it was a movie—full of love, betrayal, and a tragic end. Years later, I found myself standing at Teluk Terima, the place where Jayaprana’s story ended—and somehow, it felt strangely familiar.
There’s a small temple in Teluk Terima where Balinese people still come to pay their respects to the spirits of Jayaprana and Layonsari. I’ve been there myself with my family. It’s quiet, surrounded by nature, and somehow the air feels heavy with memory. We didn’t say much while we were there—just prayed in silence, as if the story itself was still echoing in the wind.
Layonsari
Jayaprana was a loyal servant in the kingdom of Kalianget. He married his true love, Layonsari, but their happiness didn’t last long. The king, who was supposed to bless their union, fell for Layonsari and sent Jayaprana away to die. The poor man was killed in the forest under the king’s order. And Layonsari? She ended her life rather than belong to someone else.
the king
It’s funny how some stories refuse to fade, even when the people in them are long gone. Maybe it’s because we see bits of ourselves in them—our hopes, our heartbreaks, our choices. Or maybe it’s just that some love stories, even the sad ones, are worth retelling. Note pictures are generated with google image fx