Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1

Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 108
(Chaturanga Sena), true to his title Nissanka Malla ( Dauntless warrior) he showed no hesitation
anywhere, crossed the great sea and landed on Dambadiwa. There he dispatched heralds and
champions to demand single combats and army contests and prepared for war. Then General Lag
Vijayasingu Senevi intimating that he himself going to be at the battlefield to secure the conquest of
Dambadiwa. Whereupon Pandya King and his mother being filled with fear made entreaties saying
“Be pleased to grant us land enough for our maintenance and let your majesty take the kingdom and
sent golden fingers, Royal maidens, elephants, horses and many other gifts”. By copious streams of
these and similar gifts from the country of the Cholas was quenched the flame of indignation. He
formed friendly alliances with such of the Princes of Karnataka, Nelluru, Gauda, Kalinga, Tilinga,
Gurjara and diverse other countries. But unto which who does want friendship he struck terror.
Thereafter at Rameshwara he mounted the scale pans and holding the thulabara ceremony bestowed
boundless wealth on inhabitants of many a land. He also had pillars of victory setup there as lasting
monuments and temple built bearing the name Nissankeshvara.
“Kings do not like people who are puffed up with pride. When one has received titles and wealth from
Kings, he should not become proud. If any one of the people belonging to Govi caste regardless of
titles were to believe……………..the people should not associate him. He should be held by the
public as an object of scorn.
(Epigraphia Zeylanica – Volume 2)(Edited for brevity)
Avid Buddhist, King Nissanka Malla’s Advice to Bhikkus: (Inscription)
In an inscription found in Rankoth Vehera in Polonnaruwa, King Nissanka Malla gives the following
advice to Buddhist monks.
“Sri!…It is well if gentlemen who pursue a course of discipline in the order of the Buddha, for
the denizens of the whole world is like unto a field for the sowing of the seeds of meritorious
actions, avoiding evil beings who are crafty, not neglecting the obligation of studying of
scriptures and meditation, diffusing kindness towards all beings by engaging in the cultivation
of love, ensure the attainment of heaven to those who with a believing heart, and live in
such a way that there will be the attainment of Nirvana in the end.
This request is made by His Majesty Sri Nissanka the Lord of Lanka, the Emperor Kalinga
Parakramabahu”.
(Ref. Epigraphia Zeylanica, Vol. V, page 266, Reading of the inscription by S. Paranavithana. Edited
for brevity by the author)
Author’s Note: What made King Nissanka Malla to make such a statement is not known.
Pursuit of Happiness:
King Nissanka Malla declared that people should be able to live enjoying wealth, titles, slaves
(waharala in Sinhalese) and cattle etc. This reminds the speech of Thomas Jefferson during
declaration of independence of USA, " life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Here I should note that the word “wahal” has been investigated thoroughly but the exact status of these
people is shrouded in mystery. Most slaves were given to Viharas where they were able to become
Buddhist monks if emancipated.