Form, function, and meaning of Balinese scripts on the kajang cloth used in Balinese Ngaben ceremonies

In the ngaben (cremation) ceremony in Bali, a piece of white cloth is used to cover the deceased; it is inscribed with Balinese characters considered sacred, which are believed to assist the soul on its journey toward the realm of the divine and facilitate its union with God. This white cloth, known as kajang, features sacred Balinese scripts: ekaksara, dwyaksara, tryaksara, pancabrahma, pancaksara, sangaksara, dasaksara, and sodasaksara. These sacred Balinese scripts have specific forms, functions, and religious-magical meanings, aligned with the socio-religious context of Bali's Hindu community.