Senapáti immediately bent his course to Pájang, where the sultan was again willing to receive him as his adopted son, and to pardon his past conduct; but a youth in the retinue of Senapáti, after first proposing to assassinate the sultan, a proposition to which Senapáti refused to listen, at last of his own accord succeeded in administering poison to him, of which he died. This happened, however, after the return of Senapáti to Matárem.
Being summoned by Ráden Benáwa, son of the deceased, Senapáti immediately repaired to Pájang, where he found already assembled Pangéran Kúdus and the principal chiefs of the country, who after the funeral proceeded to the election of a new sultan. Senapáti was for investing the son of the deceased with the authority enjoyed by his father, but the Súnan Kúdus, who though he had been the cause of his son's death, still breathed vengeance against the Pájang family, for the ignominious manner in which the punishment was carried into effect, opposed this nomination, and favouring the pretensions of Sultan Démak, that chief was duly proclaimed Sultan of Pájang, Ráden Benáwa being appointed chief of Jípang. From this period the different states which had acknowledged the supremacy of Pájang successively broke off from their allegiance.
The new Sultan of Pájang commenced his career by removing from office most of the Pájang chiefs, and replacing them by his adherents from Demák, which occasioned a general discontent. At last Ráden Benáwa, who was not inclined quietly to submit to the loss of his kingdom, succeeded in inducing Senapáti openly to adopt his cause, and join the forces which he could himself send from Jípang and the discontents of Pájang.
Senapáti accordingly marched against Pájang, and an engagement taking place, most of the troops deserted the sultan's cause, and the remainder, who continued faithful, were soon put to flight. Ráden Benáwa, alarmed at a dream, in which he heard a voice saying, "Every thing in life has a beginning and an end, all worldly greatness is vanity, and no man can call himself happy until his death; do you always bear this in mind:" withdrew, and having followed the course of the Sólo river down to Grésik, proceeded thence to Kendál, where he attracted many followers by his irreproachable conduct. At last he settled on the mountain Parákan, where he was buried.
Senapáti, after this success, proceeded to carry the kráton by assault, and having entered the front gateway, the wife of the sultan came forth, entreating that her husband's life might be spared; but Senapáti reminding her that he was the friend of her father, and had nothing to fear, desired her instantly to produce her husband, which being complied with, he informed the sultan that the people of Pájang being displeased with him he could no longer remain sovereign, but that he and his followers might return to Demák as soon as they pleased, the sovereignty being now conferred on Ráden Benáwa.
Search was made for Ráden Benáwa without effect, but that chief was duly proclaimed as sultan, and the brother of Senapáti appointed to administer the country until his arrival.
The retreat of Ráden Benáwa being at length discovered, and that chief declining to accept the government of Pájang, his brother, Pangéran Gája Búmi, was appointed sultan in his room. The latter shortly after died, and was succeeded by the son of Benáwa, Ráden Sidawíni, on whom the title of Pangéran Pájang was conferred.
As soon as order was again restored, Senapáti returned to Matárem, carrying with him the saddle called gatáya, the head-dress called máchang gúguh, and a set of gámelan called sekar dalíma, which he had taken at the assault of Pájang, as trophies of his victory, together with the cannon called niái stómi, and all the insignia and ornaments of royalty, which had descended for the most part from the princes of Pajajáran and Majapáhit, and which are still preserved in the regalia of the princes of Java.
Senapáti, in consequence of these arrangements and the possession of the regalia, transferred the seat of empire to Matárem, and lost no time in raising his family to the highest dignities. Assuming himself the title of sultan, he elevated his nephews to the rank of Pangérans.
His ambitious views being now so far realized, he consulted the Súnan Gíri, wishing to obtain his opinion, whether the time for the complete fulfilment of the prophecy was not arrived. The Súnan replied, that if the Sultan of Matárem wished to be sovereign of the whole island of Java, it was essential that he should, in the first instance, bring the eastern provinces under subjection. In consequence of this reply, the sultan immediately collected his troops, trained them to the use of arms and regular discipline, and in the month of mohárem marched eastward.