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This
article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa’,
the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history
Viharamahadevi returns to Magama
 Though
Dutugemunu was back in Magama, his mind was not at ease. He wanted
his mother back in Magama. He could have gone to Digamadulla,
fought his brother and brought his mother back. That, he thought
was not becoming of him. If he did so, even the people would think
that he took his mother by force.
- It so happened
that Gemunu loved his mother so much, he thought he must have
her with him. He valued her advice. Finally, he organized a huge
procession and made them march to Digamadulla. There, they were
to meet the queen and bring her back in procession, with all the
pomp and pageantry.
- Dutugemunu
was now a contented person. He had his mother beside him. The
elephant Kandula too, was back in Magama. He could now, get ready
to fight the Tamils in the north. The army was given rigid training.
Meanwhile, Tissa, who was in hiding in the temple, left the temple
and had had come to Digamadulla in disguise. He was repenting
for all the wrong he did his brother. By this time, his forces
too had joined the ranks of the army of Magama. The mother, whom
he too, loved very much, was also with his brother.
before long, Tissa realized that his life in disguise was useless.
He decided to seek the advice of the Sangha. He went to meet Thera
Godagatta Tissa, who was famous as a great Thera of the day. Tissa
fell at his feet, worshipped him and sat on a side. He said, “O’great
Thera, you may be already aware of the injustices I did to my
brother. I now realize how grave these offences are. I even tried
to kill him”.
- In reply,
the Thera said, “Stop repenting now. I know the entire story.
Now what you should do is try to correct your mistakes and be
a good person”. Tissa replied that it was his idea too and
that is why he came to meet the Thera. He added, “Venerable
Sir, please have pity on me and try to help me. Please get my
brother to pardon me for all my faults”. So saying, he worshipped
the Thera once more.
- Thera Godawatta
Tissa was quite pleased at the behaviour of Tissa. He assembled
a crowd of 500 monks, handed over the bowl and the parasol to
Tissa and went towards Magama. Dutugemunu got news of the procession
of monks, but he did not know that Tissa too was among the crowd.
-
 The
people who gathered along the road, worshipped and paid respect
to the monks, and offered them drinks. None of them could make
out Tissa, for he had changed completely. The priests went right
into the palace but Tissa was instructed to stop at the foot of
the stairs.
- King Dutugemunu
washed the feet of the Theras and welcomed them. When the priests
took their seats, the king offered them delicious food prepared
for the occasion. At the end of the meal, the king asked the Theras
, the purpose of their sudden visit to the palace. The Theras
very calmly replied that they had brought Tissa with them.
By Halaliye Karunathilaka
Edited and translated by
Kamala Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila
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