in the heavens live three goddesses, the sisters laila kesoema, koemala djoewita, and ratna moetoe manikam (ratna asmara). though ratna and laila get along well and want only to bring blessings to the earth, the brash koemala has different intentions. ratna and koemala soon come into conflict over darsjah alam. koemala attempts to woo darsjah alam, who – sensing that she does not love him – rejects her advances. in response, koemala plots to send demons and jinns to destroy his kingdom. laila overhears koemala's scheming and tells ratna, who in turn consults the elder god batara guru. he refuses to intervene, instead saying that koemala's attack would be a test of darsjah alam's faith.