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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