Funday Times

This article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa’, the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history
Setting out to war
1. The Chief Minister spoke thus, "It is not a healthy thing to revolt. It only causes immense trouble to the people. What we want now is to correct the king and save the 'Buddha Sasana' from the minister Sona and that Chola priest". A chief priest who listed to these words said, "Yes. It is true. We are acting with all good intentions. Our efforts should bear fruit. We are disciples of the Buddha and do not believe in fighting with arms".

2. "Yes. Reverend. You need not worry about that. We laymen can see to those efforts", said the chief minister. The discussion ended there. The village chiefs recruited men to the army. The ministers gave the new recruits a training in the art of warfare. This news spread. More and more youth joined the army. Whenever the country, the nation and the religion was in danger, the youth of that era was not used to lying low. They rose to the occasion whenever there was a crisis.

3. All who joined the army displayed their skill in fighting. The time was running out. The people of 'Malayarata' supplied everything that was needed for the war. The chief minister got ready for the battle. He even set a date to set forth and that day dawned. Amidst the chanting of 'seth-pirith', the armies of Malayarata began their march to Anuradhapura. The chief minister Meghavarna led the army. As they marched forward, the crowds that gathered on either side of the road began to cheer.

4. They wished the army good luck. Meanwhile the city of Anuradhapura was disturbed. The news of the chief minister leading the army reached the city. King Mahasen was not discouraged. He advanced with the royal army. They marched till evening that day. When darkness fell, both armies had reached the 'Duratissa' tank. The chief minister Meghavaran camped on one side. On the other side, King Mahasen had set camp.

5. They rested till night fell. It was almost time for dinner. The chief minister was getting ready for dinner. The dining table was well set. There was an aroma pervading. "These curries smell so good. What could be the reason?" , he asked the cook. "O' Chief Minister, these curries are all prepared the way it is done in Malayarata. That is why, they give out such a good aroma", replied the cook. Then he asked what kind of drink was made. The cook explained that it was a drink made out of sugar cane.

6. The chief minister wanted to know what kind of meat had been prepared. It was the flesh of peacocks, said the cook. The chief minister did not want to partake of the food. Instead he began to think. He thought of King Mahasen. The chief minister had been in the habit of sharing whatever special food he got with the king. So he had not the heart to partake of the delicious food that was prepared. He got up from the dining table, called the cook and ordered him to make a parcel of food enough for two.

7. The cook prepared the parcel. The chief minister Meghavarna left the camp all by himself and went to King Mahasen's camp. When he stopped at the entrance, they paid due respects to him. The chief minister then said, "Look here soldiers, I came alone. I have not come for war. You go and tell the king that I wished to see him". The soldiers went in to inform the king.

8. They came back in an instant and said the king wished the chief minister to come inside. Meghavarna accepted the king's invitation and went inside. He stood before the king. He addressed the king and said, "O' King, I got some delicious food. I came here with the intention of sharing it with you. Shall we partake of the food?" The king got the aroma and became impatient to taste it. So he said, "Yes, let's eat".

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

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