Funday Times

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

Father meets son
1. King Mahinda 11 got to know that Prince Dappula was getting ready for battle again. He assembled all his relatives, the Buddhist clergy, officers of state, ministers and commanders to Thuparama. The king explained the situation of the country and put forward his intended plans. He described how he was going to fight Prince Dappula and asked for their views on the matter. All those who were gathered there approved of the king's plan of action.

2. The king felt very happy. All those assembled there, also dispersed happily. The king strengthened the security of the capital, took the army and left for the south. He went to the rock named Mara. The people in that area supported the king. This frightened Prince Dappula. He proposed that they should agree on a peace treaty. The king too agreed. Prince Dappula gave elephants and jewels as gifts to the king.

3. The king conferred the title 'Ruler of the South' on Prince Dappula and made him rule the Southern Province. Kalu-ganga was identified to be the border of the south. The area to the north of Kalu-ganga, came under the capital city. As a result, the fight that continued between Anuradhapura and the south came to an end. Once peace was established in the country, King Mahinda began to concentrate on religious activities. He gave alms, did a lot of meritorious deeds and worked for the progress of the Sasana.

4. While the king was continuing like this, his son, who held the post of 'Yuva-raja' died. He was the son by Princess Sangha. The king was deeply grieved over the death of his son. By this time, the king's son, by his first wife, was also serving in the army. He was a clever commander. He had got a lot of commendation and even gifts from the king, on various occasions. But the king did not know that it was his son.

5. This prince was Udaya by name. He had been very clever as a warrior and brought victory to the king in a number of battles. He had been doing his part of the job quietly. Once, when the enemy besieged the city, this Prince went to King Mahinda and requested that an elephant be given to him, to fight the enemy. The king gave a fierce elephant to him. He further gave a battalion of skilled soldiers and asked him to give a good fight. The prince went to attack, well prepared.

6. In the battle a lot of men were killed by this prince. After gaining victory, he came to meet the king. The king conferred the post of Commander-in-Chief on the prince, on that day. Once he managed to fight Prince Dappula. In that battle too, Prince Udaya was victorious. However, for the loss of his men in battle that day, Prince Dappula harboured a grudge against Prince Udaya.

7. In the battle that was fought in the village of Mahummara, Prince Udaya met Prince Dappula face to face. Both were on elephant back. Prince Dappula tried his best to kill Udaya. However, Prince Udaya led his elephant skillfully, avoiding every attack and finally made Dappula flee. Due to all the skill displayed by Prince Udaya, King Mahinda wanted to know more details about him. Only then did he discover, that it was no other person that his own son. The king's happiness knew no bounds.

8. The king called the prince to the palace and inquired all about him. The prince remained silent. When the king asked again and again, he had to reveal his identity. Tears of joy came down from the king's eyes. He felt guilty for not caring to find out about his whereabouts, all this time and expressed his sadness. He embraced the prince and both of them were engaged in a pleasant conversation. The king made Prince Udaya the 'Yuva-raja'.

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