Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1
Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1
Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1
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<strong>Concise</strong> <strong>Mahavamsa</strong> <strong>Ruwan</strong> <strong>Rajapakse</strong>, P.E., <strong>Sinhalanet</strong>.<strong>com</strong> 37<br />
Prince Tissa escaped and met a Bhikku named Godattha. The monk decided to make peace between<br />
two brothers. The monk took Prince Tissa to King Dutugamunu. Monk Godattha went to the King<br />
and stated that he brought Prince Tissa. King asked “Where is the traitor?”. Monk brought Prince<br />
Tissa. Seeing the Prince, mother Vihara Maha Devi jumped in front of the Prince and covered him.<br />
King Dutugamunu and Prince Tissa made peace with each other.<br />
War Against King Elara:<br />
King Dutugamunu after securing the south started the campaign against King Elara. He built a large<br />
army and marched towards Anuradhapura. During his march he destroyed many outposts that belong<br />
to King Elara. King Elara’s men fled to Anuradhapura and sheltered inside Vijithanagara fortress<br />
located 25 mils from the capital, Anuradhapura.<br />
King Dutugamunu setup his camp near Vijithanagara fortress. While preparing for the war, King sent<br />
Kandula the elephant to attack Nandimitra to test his strength. Nandimitra held the elephant from its<br />
tusks and seated the elephant on its rear end. The village where this happened was named Hasthipura.<br />
After this incident, kandula grabbed a big stone and hid it inside his mouth to attack Nandimitra<br />
whenever he gets a chance.<br />
Kandula Relaxing:<br />
At the right time, the King attacked Vijithanagara. Damila soldiers in the fortress poured hot molten<br />
iron on the in<strong>com</strong>ing army. When lava hit Kandula, he ran away and jumped to a lake nearby.<br />
Gothaimbara saw Kandula submerged in the lake and yelled at the elephant to go back to the<br />
battlefield, saying “Did you <strong>com</strong>e here to battle or relax”. Kandula came back and charged towards the<br />
fortress gate. A huge stone was dropped on Kandula by Damila soldiers. Nandimitra jumped up and<br />
guided the stone out of the elephant saving it from getting hit. Seeing that, Kandula let go the grudge<br />
he had with Nandimitra and dropped the stone.<br />
After four months of fighting, King Dutugamunu was able to destroy the fortress. After capturing the<br />
fortress, King Dutugamunu started to march towards Anuradhapura. King Elara with his large army<br />
came to meet King Dutugamunu. They met near the south gate of the city. King Elara was mounted<br />
on elephant Maha Pabbatha (Big Rock) while King Dutugamunu was mounted on Kandula. In the<br />
battle between two Kings, King Dutugamunu killed King Elara and subdued King Elara’s army. After<br />
beating King Elara, King Dutugamunu started to march towards the city.<br />
King Dutugamunu came to the city and summoned all the people and conducted the funeral rights of<br />
the fallen King. A decree was issued to respect the cemetery of King Elara. Every man and woman<br />
who passes near King Elara’s cemetery was ordered to take their hats and shoes off. After conquering<br />
King Elara, King Dutugamunu overpowered thirty two Damila Kings and brought the whole country<br />
under one rule.<br />
Author’s Note: King Elara’s cemetery still exists in Anuradhapura.<br />
Maricavatti Vihara (Mirisavati Vihara):<br />
After conquering Anuradhapura, King Dutugamunu built the Mirisavati Vihara.
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