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> 73<br />
(Author’s Note: Sometimes wars are conducted for silly reasons. King Kassapa, built Sigiriya<br />
and acquired the status “Parvatha Raja”, meaning King of the rock. Apparently, there was another<br />
King in Pallava country who already was living on top of a rock with the same name. The Pallava<br />
King sent a message to King Kassapa to stop using the name Parvatha Raja. King Kassapa refused.<br />
Army sent by Pallava King to kill King Kassapa was defeated).<br />
Since bhikkus were not accepting land given to Viharas, he gifted the land in the name of Buddha to<br />
gain merit. Bhikkus then accepted the land.<br />
King Kassapa always lived in fear of Moggallana.<br />
Moggallana’s Ascent:<br />
As expected Moggallana came to Lanka with an army. When Kassapa heard of Moggallana’s<br />
advancement he thought “I will devour him as a ferocious beast”. Kassapa went to war with<br />
Moggallana and was defeated by Moggallana’s forces. Seeing the inevitable defeat, Kassapa turned<br />
back his elephant and started to flee but encountered a marsh. No place to run, Kassapa cut his throat<br />
and died. Moggallana was happy, so that he did not have to kill his own brother.<br />
Author’s Note: People who went to see Sigiriya wrote graffiti on Sigiri walls. These graffiti are<br />
known as “Kurutu Gee” in Sinhala. Prof. Senarath Paranavithana translated nearly 700 of these<br />
poems. Some of them from 600 AD are given below. (Edited for brevity).<br />
Swasthi! Budhgamu wehera niyamjeth na sagasmi leemi<br />
(Hail! I am Na Sagasmi, the chief administrator (niyamjeth) of Budhgamu vehera is writing (leemi))<br />
Balannata gahanun balumo sihigiri<br />
(We looked at Sihigiri in order to look at women)<br />
Piri manajol kathun mayattha la jolannathun<br />
(My heart’s desire was fulfilled by the lovely women who stood there)<br />
Palawathu Wela Aramba Thanoo Sangapal me gee Leemi<br />
(I am Sangapal who built the Palawathu wela aramba, writing this song)<br />
Beyand gosin balumo sith surasna seye<br />
Banathuj nobenan asi piyevu eyun layu natthe<br />
(We went to the mountain and the mind be<strong>com</strong>es well pleased).<br />
Ruhunin Aaa Kithalu gee<br />
(The song of Kithalu, who came from Ruhunu)<br />
wanawu himin himabiya ya yi sitiya tama vee yahapath deta beyadahi ranvanun detuen<br />
(He, when he thought that those who are separated from their lord were his ladies, became doubly<br />
happy as he saw the golden colored ones on the mountain side)<br />
Balath Poyalmi Gee<br />
(Song of Poyalmi the palace guard [Balath])<br />
Beyandh dig neth maha wan helilla buyun<br />
(Forgive me. Oh…Long eyed one in the mountain)<br />
Awuj thut sith kala maranen Dhaka no musneye maye<br />
(Having <strong>com</strong>e here, having seen them, death does not perturb me)
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