Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese Vol II. - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/51

 A very important class of èleumèë for all Achehnese, but especially for chiefs, panglimas and soldiers, is that known as èleumèë keubay, i.e. the science of invulnerability. This used also to be held in high esteem in Java, witness the numerous primbons or manuals extant upon this subject. The principles on which this group of eleumèë is based are (1) the somewhat pantheistic scheme of philosophy to which we have alluded above and (2) the theory that a knowledge of the essence, attributes and names of any substance gives complete control over the substance itself.

The combination of these two notions causes a knowledge of the innermost nature of iron (the maʾripat beusòë, as it is called) to form a most important factor in endowing man with the power of resisting this metal when wrought into various weapons. The argument is as follows. All elements of iron are of course present in man, since man is the most complete revelation of God, and God is All. The whole creation is a kind of evolution of God from himself, and this evolution takes place along seven lines or grades (meureutabat tujōh), eventually returning again into the Unity through the medium of man. In the earth then all elements are united and capable of changing places with one another. Now the ,éleumèë of iron has the power of producing on any part of the human body that is exposed to the attack of iron or lead, a temporary formation of iron or some still stronger element that makes the man keubay or invulnerable.

Mercury (raʾsa) is regarded as exercising a mysterious influence over the other metals; hence one of the most popular methods of attaining invulnerability is the introduction of mercury in a particular manner into the human body (peutamòng raʾsa). This treatment can only be successful when resorted to under the guidance of a skilled gurèë. So every Achehnese chief has, in addition to many advisers on the subject of invulnerability, one special instructor known as ureuëng peutamòng raʾsa keubay or raʾsa salèh.

Ordinarily the treatment is prepared for by at least seven days kaluët (doing of penance by religious seclusion) in a separate dwelling near