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> 45<br />
Then King Dutugamunu glanced at Mahathupa for one last time and closed his eyes.<br />
Saliya – Asokamala:<br />
King Dutugamunu had a son named Saliya Raja Kumara. He was an intelligent Prince and conducted<br />
many meritorious deeds. This young Prince, fell in love with a beautiful Chandala girl named<br />
Asokamala. Prince Saliya was told that he would not be able to be<strong>com</strong>e the King, if he continues his<br />
love affair with Asokamala. Prince Saliya’s love for Asokamala was greater than his desire for the<br />
kingdom. Against the wishes of the country, he married Asokamala without any regard to the throne.<br />
(Author’s Note: <strong>Mahavamsa</strong> Tika gives a greater description of Saliya-Asokamala love story.<br />
According to Tika, Saliya and Asokamala were husband and wife in a previous life. During King<br />
Dutugamunu’s time, Saliya was born as son of King Dutugamunu while Asokamala was born as a<br />
Chandala girl in the city. One day while Prince Saliya was walking in a forest of Asoka trees, he heard<br />
a song sung by a beautiful voice. When he followed the voice, he saw a pretty damsel plucking Asoka<br />
flowers. Saliya Raja Kumara fell in love with the girl immediately, [not knowing that she was her wife<br />
in a previous life] and they got married.<br />
Some consider the rock statue in Isurumuniya depicting lovers, known as “Isurumuni lovers” to be of<br />
Saliya Raja Kumara and Asokamala).<br />
Author’s Note: <strong>Mahavamsa</strong> account of Saliya-Asokamala story was extremely brief, probably<br />
was a distraction for Mahathera Mahanama. (Author of this portion of <strong>Mahavamsa</strong>).<br />
Saddhatissa: (140 BC – 122 BC)<br />
Since Prince Saliya, married a Chandala girl, King Dutugamunu’s younger brother, Saddhatissa was<br />
consecrated as King. King Saddhatissa continued the remaining work in Mahathupa.<br />
Major Fire in Lowa Maha Paaya:<br />
During his time, there was a fire in the Lowa Maha Paaya. King reconstructed the Lowa Maha Paaya<br />
with seven stories. (Initially there were nine stories).<br />
King Saddhatissa built Dighavapi vihara and Duratissa reservoir.<br />
Duratissa Reservoir: Duratissa reservoir has an embankment of 3,400 ft long and 14 feet high. Top<br />
of the bank is 15 feet wide. The reservoir has a capacity of 336 million Cu. ft and a surface area of<br />
1,230 acres.<br />
After King Saddhatissa’s death, Mahasangha supported the second son of the King, “Thulathana”.<br />
Thulathana: (122 BC – 122 BC)<br />
Thulathana, second son of King Saddhatissa, became the ruler of the country after King Saddhatissa.<br />
This angered the first son, Lajjitissa. When Thulathana was consecrated, Lajjitissa was out of town.<br />
Hearing the news, Lajjitissa was furious. Lajjitissa gathered an army and fought with Thulathana.<br />
Lajjitissa: (122 BC – 112 BC)
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