Funday Times

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

Prince Kashyapa flees
1. King Upatissa ruled the country in a righteous manner. The subjects were pleased with his son Kashyapa too. Meanwhile the Commander-in-Chief developed a craving for kingship. He even forgot about his connection to the king. He was only the nephew of the king. The Commander-in-Chief was Silakala by name. All of a sudden, he went to Malayarata and started raising an army. He began to rise up in revolt. He marched to the capital and besieged the city. King Upatissa was frightened.

2. Prince Kashyapa met his father and consoled him. Then he met his friends, discussed matters and marched forward with the royal army. Though Silakala was supposed to be powerful, he was defeated by Kashyapa. Silakala fled, but before long he strengthened his army and marched again. This time too, the Prince met the enemy and defeated them. Prince Kashyapa and his friends were able to defeat Silakala several times.

3. Though he had to suffer defeat and retreat many a time, Silakala never gave up the fight. Instead of marching towards the city, he conquered the Eastern and Western Provinces. He won the subjects to his side and instigated them to rise up in revolt against King Upatissa. The king was unshaken. Silakala organized a huge army. They set up camp near the rock - Pachina-tissa.

4. This time too, Prince Kashyapa led the royal army. He was riding on elephant back. While attacking the enemy he climbed the rock on elephant back and went on attacking Silakala. Because he was able to climb the rock on elephant back, he was nick-named 'Giri-Kasub' (Giri meaning mountain). Silakala suffered defeat this time too. He retreated. He next thought of using other tactics.

5. He spread all sorts of rumours to create disunity among the subjects. They became restless. Meanwhile Silakala strengthened his army. After hearing the rumours spread by Silakala, unpleasantness was created among the royal army. There were sporadic revolts and the peaceful atmosphere of Anuradhapura was badly disturbed.

6. The law of the land was forgotten. There was terror and corruption in the country. The commander Silakala was the only individual who enjoyed this state of affairs. When the society was split, he gained more and more power. It was then, opportune for Silakala to march against the capital city. The royal army boldly faced Silakala's forces. But this time the battle was not that easy.

7. As the fighting went on for a long time, the people suffered a lot. Not only house and property but even their herds of cattle were destroyed. They became helpless. The un-armed, very often died. Gradually, the royal army was weakened. It was really painful for Prince Kashyapa to see the royal army lose. This is a prince who never had his eyes on the throne. Now he began to contemplate. "My parents are old and feeble. My father has gone blind".

8. "There is only one thing left for me to do. I will allow Silakala to be king. I shall take my parents who are feeble and run away from the scene". He informed his good friends of his decisions. In the dead of night they fled, towards Malayarata. But their hopes of escape were shattered when they lost their way. They had to go round and round the city. As a result, Silakala got to know that they were running away.

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