Raja Muda's 'Lord Of The Three Worlds'

As I, Raja Muda, stood on a hill of Singapura watching the mercilessly flaming globe gradually rising, I recalled the story which my grandfather, Sri Tri Buana, the “Lord of the Three Worlds”, used to recount when I was younger. It was an account of how he found Singapura. According to him, it took place in 1299, a little after he had left Bentan for Tanjong Bemian. I closed my eyes as I delved back into my memory of how he always narrated his story…
I was hunting in the woods of Tanjong Bemian with all my men when I spotted a deer eating grass. Signalling to the men, we approached it slowly and carefully. In a swift move, I stabbed its hind. However, it seems that I did not injure it sufficiently as the deer fled. With it’s injury and all

With that, we commenced our journey to the land called Temasek.
As soon as we sailed to the open sea, the clouds thicken and the thunder roared. Not long after, it started to pour. So strong were the wind that the rain droplets felt like pebbles as they smashed onto our faces. Furthermore, the sea morphed into mountains of angry waves, rocking the boat tremendously such that it was on the verge of capsizing. Since none of us have experienced a storm as violent as this, everyone started to panic. With the thunder clashing and the wind wailing, screams and shouts of the men and women were drowned.
Oh no… Look what I have done. I should have listened to Indra Bopal’s advice! I blamed myself. It is all my fault for putting all of them through this. I cannot let them die here. I must think of something! Seeing that the ship was sinking, an idea came to my mind. Grabbing onto the railing with my dear life, I competed against the hollering storm and screamed to the nearest men, “Discard everything you see! Lighten the

My crown!” I exclaimed, as I threw my crown overboard, fervently hoping that it would work.
“O mighty Lord of the Sea! It is I, Sri Tri Buana! May I impudently ask for you to grace your presence and save me and my men from this merciless storm? I will do anything that you wish in return,” I beseeched.
To my utmost surprise, the storm subsided and the waves calmed down immediately, almost as if the commotion before was a lie. “We survived!” everyone cheered, flabbergasted yet relieved. I slumped against the railings and heaved a huge sigh of relief, glad that it all went well. Now, all I have to worry about is what the Sea King would want in return, but that is another story.
Not long after the arduous journey, we finally arrived at our destination – Temasek. Once again I was filled with awe. How could the sand be so sacredly white? I wondered. With every step that I took, I could feel the fine and soft grains massaging my feet as they sunk ever so slightly beneath me, comforting my exhausted and aching soles. Relishing the gentle wind caressing my face, I walked along the shore barefooted, leaving a fresh trail of footprints behind me. This, I thought, may be a great place for me to