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| This article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa’, the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history. Temple in memory of Somadevi 1. The work on the construction of Abhayagiri Vihara came to a conclusion. King Valagamba sent messengers to bring Rev. Maha-Tissa, who was residing in the Kuppigala temple at the time. The priest welcomed the messengers and after engaging in a pleasant conversation, all of them proceeded to Anuradhapura. The king had organized festivities right along, on the way, and the entire road was decorated. With the intention of conducting the priest in ceremonial fashion, the king sent his four-fold army, which included elephants, horses, chariots and the foot soldiers, to accompany him. 2. King Valagamba, Queen Anula, Princes Mahatissa and Mahanaga went up to the Southern gate of Anuradhapura to receive him. As the priest entered the city gate, the royal party worshipped him and conducted him to the palace. Delicious food had been prepared and alms were offered to Rev. Maha-Tissa. Later followed a discussion. There were grand celebrations the following day. 3. At the end of the celebrations, Abhayagiri dagoba and the temple were offered to Rev. Maha-Tissa. Since then, in addition to Mahavihara, Abhayagiri too received royal patronage. Abhayagiri became an important religious centre and at times, it even surpassed Mahavihara in significance. Clashes also arose between the two temples and the monks were also divided into two sects, the Mahavihara sect and the Abhayagiri sect. 4. While all this was going on, there was something worrying the king. It was about Somadevi. Ignoring the threat to her own life, she had got off the chariot that day, considering the king’s safety. She pretty well knew that the enemy soldiers were following. The king felt guilty that he had delayed looking for news of her. After doing his duty by Rev. Maha-Tissa, he started looking for Somadevi. 5. He sent messengers in all directions to bring some news of her. They went all over the country looking for her. They got news to the effect that she left the island through Matota. The messengers reported this news to the king. He then sent men to South India. Somadevi was found living in comfort in South India. They brought her back to Sri Lanka. Needless to say, how delighted the king was to see her. 6. Festivities were held in the palace to welcome Somadevi. She was given the same royal status she enjoyed before. To show gratitude to her, for her heroic deed that day, a vihara was erected. It was named ‘Somarama’. All the commanders who helped the king to fight the enemy erected viharas or other religious monuments. 7. Commander Uttiya built a vihara named ‘Dakkhina’, to the south of the city. The commander named Chula built a temple in his name. ‘Saliyarama’ was built by the commander Saliya and ‘Parvatarama’, by the commander Parvata. Commander Tissa built Tissarama. When all the commanders built temples all over the city, they went and notified the king. King Valagamba visited all these temples. He was very pleased to see beautiful temples scattered all over the city. 8. Then came the task of bringing Rev. Tissa of Hambugalla to Anuradhapura. He is the priest responsible for the union of the commanders and the king. The priest too was happy to see the religious places built by the commanders. The king and his commanders organized religious festivities and all those temples were gifted to Rev. Tissa of Hambugalla.
By Halaliye Karunathilake |
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