Funday Times

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

The death of King Agbo
1. Another officer of King Agbo 11 also built a pirivena by the name Chullapattha. Queen Jettha built a nunnery named Jettharama. She donated two villages for the maintenance of this nunnery. During this time, it was not only the king who led a righteous life, but also those who associated him closely did so. Even the people were good-natured and were bent on doing meritorious deeds.

2. All village leaders got engaged in religious activities as and when they could do so. Temples were built, conditions in the pirivenas were improved so that the villagers could use them, as centres for learning. Agriculture too was taken care of. The king repaired a number of tanks and canals. After some time, King Agbo 1V went to Polonnaruwa, to reside there. There too, he got involved in a lot of religious work.

3. It is at Polonnaruwa that the king fell ill. He knew his time was nearing its end. Yet he met the people and advised them. He told them, "I have just a few more days to live. Take my advice and lead good lives". The people were very sad to see the king in this condition. Some began to cry and lament. The king consoled them saying that life is not permanent and all who are born, have to die one day. He pointed out that a righteous life is a life well-lived.

4. King Agbo 1V, passed away. He was given a right royal cremation. As he was a king who loved his people so much, the people were very sad to lose him. Some did not forget to take a few ashes from his body, to be kept in their own dwellings, to honour him. King Agbo 1V ruled for a period of 16 years.

5. It was in 683AD that this king died. His Yuva-raja, Dathasiva succeeded him. The Tamil Commander, Pottha-Kuttha, imprisoned this king and took the power to his hands. But he could not carry on the administration without a king. The people did not recognize his rule. So he somehow got a prince named Datta from Danapitiya, a village in Kurunegala.

6. This prince was crowned and kept on the throne. The commander ruled the country, the way he wanted. Before long, this new king died. He was on the throne for just one year. Now the commander had to look for a prince who had a right to the throne. He found one in Hunnaruwa. He was Hatthadatha by name. As before, the commander kept him on the throne and ruled the country as he wanted.

7. The new king Hatthadatha had strong religious leanings. He had built a meditation centre. He was engaged in various religious activities. But after a period of about six months, this king died. At this time, there was another prince, who had a claim to the throne. He was a son of King Kashyapa 11. He had got married to the daughter of the King of Malayarata. They lived in hiding, in the northern part of the country. This prince was Manavamma, by name.

8. He had four sons and two daughters. When King Dathopatissa 11, got to know about this prince, he tried to capture him. When Manavamma heard of this, he took his wife and children and fled to India. At this time, Pallavas were in power in South India. It was King Narasinghe Varman, who was ruling in South India at this time.

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