This article is part of a continuing series on the 'Mahavamsa,' the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history

The battle of the cousins

By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by Kamala Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila

1. The battle between the two Yuvarajas – Parakramabahu and Manabharana – commenced. Gradually it became a serious fight. Finally, Manabharana won. Parakramabahu had to retreat to Mayarata. After this success, Manabharana brought Polonnaruwa under his control. As he was keen on holding on to power and keeping Polonnaruwa under his control, he continued to keep King Gajabahu a prisoner and did not want to release him.

2. King Gajabahu was disgusted and quite angry with Yuvaraja Manabharana. He thought it would have been better to have been a prisoner under Parakramabahu.
Secretly, he sought Parakramabahu's help. Parakrambahu acceded to his request and once again marched to Polonnaruwa, along with his troops.

Manabharana too advanced with his army. When the two armies met, the fighting started. In this battle Parakramabahu won. Manabharana who was defeated, fled to Ruhuna. Making use of this opportunity, King Gajabahu escaped from prison. He fled to Ganthalawa – where people were ready to help him.

4. King Gajabahu thought of making the best of all these occurrences. He got friendly with the people of the area and organized an army. In the meantime, all the monks of Polonnaruwa assembled and discussed how dangerous it was for the country to have the princes fighting all the time. They tried to stop this battle of the cousins and make them friends once more.

5. King Gajabahu consented to make peace. Then the monks went and met Parakramabahu, who was at Giritalawa. He welcomed the priests with all due honour and listened patiently to their advice. The monks then said, "O' King, you are still young. King Gajabahu is very old and he is almost at the end of his lifespan.

6. Moreover, King, he has no son. Nor does he have a brother of his own. So when this king dies, you only will be the king. Till such time, is it not advisable for both of you to remain on friendly terms? Constant fighting means the destruction of life and property." Parakramabahu could only listen in silence. He never uttered a word.

7. The monks continued, "Your Majesty, please think for a while. Both of you are not strangers. You are very close relations. So try to be patient, till the old king dies. Stop this unnecessary bloodshed." The monks' appeal was a strong one. Then Parakramabahu asked what King Gajabahu's response was like.

8. The monks said that he preferred peace. Parakramabahu then decided to agree to what the priests asked. So, Gajabahu and Parakramabahu came to an agreement and this agreement was inscribed on stone. Yuvaraja Manabharana came to know about this peace treaty. Now he wished to befriend King Gajabahu. He sent him gifts.