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This
article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa’,
the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history
King Dutugemunu moved by deaths
of Tamil soldiers
 King
Dutugemunu got the palace at Anuradhapura completely renovated.
There was a lot of Hindu influence in the neighbourhood. The king
managed to create a Buddhist atmosphere, without destroying any
religious centre, that existed there. He even helped those centres.
One day, when the king was resting in his chamber, memories of
the endless wars he had fought, came to his mind.-
The king thought of the hundreds and thousands of Tamil soldiers
who died because of him. He felt very sad thinking of the evil
of taking away others’ lives. He was brooding over this
for days, without even taking proper meals.
The ministers were surprised at this change in the king. They
were very concerned.
-
 The
great Theras who got to know about this sudden change in the king,
went to the palace. Once the Theras were respectfully seated,
the king worshipped them.
The Theras then asked the king, “O King, why are you so
sad? Your mission is not yet complete, though you have succeeded
in uniting the country. Much more has to be done. Do not be disturbed,
like this”.
The king then spoke thus. “Venerable Sirs, how can I spend
my days peacefully? I have caused the slaughter of thousands of
Tamil soldiers. It is not taking away others’ lives?”
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The Theras then said, “It is true, that you and your army
is responsible for the death of so many Tamils. But you did so,
with a noble intention. So do not get upset over it.
On the other hand, if you did not do so, you and your men would
have been killed by the enemy. Be at ease”. The king still
insisted on knowing whether he had committed a great sin.
-
The Theras said, “O King, you have been accumulating merit
in your previous births too. This is your final birth, as a human.
So do not worry about it”. The king was still not satisfied.
He was harping on the same question over and over again.
The Thera’s advice was for him to do good deeds and acquire
more and more merit.
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The king then said, “Have sympathy on me for worrying you
repeatedly. I accept what you say with due respect. I only want
to console myself”.
The Theras remained silent. The king went on. “Will the
evil of taking away so many human lives affect my future salvation?”
Then all the Theras in unison said, “No”. The king
was at last satisfied with their answer. He offered alms to the
Theras.
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After the lapse of a long period, the king was seen enjoying his
food. Among the dishes was a tasty dish of ‘pepper in the
pod’, which the king relished. He partook of this curry.
It is only after eating, that he realized that this curry had
not been served to the Theras. Now the king was feeling guilty
for eating a curry without offering it first to the monks. When
it came to any tasty food, the king was in the habit of offering
it first to the monks. Then only would he eat it.
-
During this time, the ‘Water Festival’ at Tissa Wewa
commenced. The king, along with his retinue went to enjoy the
water sports.
When he changed to get into the water, he removed all the jewellery
and kept them on a side.
He also planted his spear on the bank. When the king came out
of the water and tried to pull out the spear, he couldn’t
even move it. Though all the men gathered there, tried to remove
it, no one could. It was so amazing.
By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by Kamala Silva
Illustrated by
Saman Kalubowila
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