Funday Times - Mahavamsa

1. When the Pandya prince went to meet the king, he was welcomed warmly and they enjoyed a pleasant conversation. The prince described in detail, all that was happening in the Pandya kingdom. King Sena then decided to attack the Pandyas. He sought the help of this prince, in his venture. The prince was only too happy to promise help to the king. He told the king that he was well aware of the strategies adopted, back home. The king listened to him very attentively.

2. The king said, "We do not want to conquer your kingdom. What we want is all the wealth that they plundered from our country." The prince then said, "Give me the power. I'll get all that back to you." Their conversation ended there. The king provided accommodation to the Pandya prince in the capital city. The troops gathered were given a quick training. A date was decided upon, for the invasion.

3. That lucky day dawned. The Sinhala soldiers led by their Chief-Commander and the Pandya prince marched towards Mantota. King Sena 11 too, accompanied them. The entire battalion boarded the ship. The king blessed them and wished them good-luck. Then the ship set sail. The king kept on looking at the ship till it went out of his sight. He then went back to the capital city.

4. The Sinhala army landed in the Pandya country. They acted fiercely. They were determined to pay them back in the same coin. What the Pandyan soldiers did here, was repeated there. They burnt cities, plundered their wealth and went as far as Madurai. The Pandya prince was leading. The people of Madurai were shocked. So was the Pandya king, Sri Mara.

5. The Pandya king, collected his army quickly and marched to fight. Both armies met at 'Arshil.’ There followed a serious battle. Soldiers on both sides died. Many were wounded. It is the Pandya army, that had to bear heavy losses. King Sri Mara was also wounded in the fighting. He succumbed to his injuries. The Pandy prince who got the help of the Sinhala people, came to the throne. He was crowned as Pandya King, Varguna Varman.

6. Though the Mahavamsa and the other local books describe this event, in this manner, a different story is related in Indian history. According to their sources, King Sena 1 was succeeded by his nephew Sena 11. During this time a certain Pandya prince put forward, his claim to the Pallava and the Pandya throne. King Sena 11, signed a treaty with him. Armies sent by King Sena 11, fought a severe battle in 'Arshil'.

7. In this battle, the capital city was ruined. King Sri Mara was severely wounded and died subsequently. After that, the Sinhala Commander-in-Chief, got the throne for Varguna Varman 11. This happened in 862AD. Whatever that may be, the Sinhala heroes were able to bring back all that the Pandyans had plundered from here. Elephants and horses too were included in the plundered wealth.

8. After this victorious battle, the brave army came back to Mantota. A huge crowd, including the king, were gathered there to welcome them. As the warships were sailing towards the shore, there was one big cheering going on. As the Commander-in-Chief walked towards the king, the king was overjoyed. He embraced the Commander in great joy.

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