He was the son of Ki Ageng Pemanahan, one of Hadiwidjaja (Joko Tingkir), the Duke of Pajang"s retainer and loyal servant, and then adopted by the Duke as his son. He was noted for killing the main opposition to the Duke, Prince Arya Penangsang of Jipang-Panola, the last descendant of Demak sultanate, thus gaining victory for his godfather"s Pajang kingdom.
Senopati had conquered the Mataram district himself and c. 1576 he conquered the area of Pajang, imposed the new religion and established his own court. Like he concentrated his spiritual powers through meditation and ascetism.
The straight line between Mount Merapi at the north and the southern sea, with the Mataram kingdom at the center, was s strong concept of cosmology among the Javanese.
