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

Commander Buddharaja

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

1. Our ancient kings, always tried untiringly to save the country from foreigners. In this attempt, some had to sacrifice even their lives. Prince Keerti, loved to listen to these heroic stories from his mother. He thought of them and wanted to learn the art of warfare well. By about 1038 AD, Prince Keerti was 13 years old. By this time, he was well known in the locality, as a clever archer. The prince did not stop at that. He mastered the art of riding on elephant-back and also horse riding. He learnt to handle the sword skillfully.

2. The prince turned 15. He wanted to change his residence. He went to 'Mulsalgama' in Malayarata. There, he started enrolling men for an army. Regardless of the fact that he was only 15 years old, the people rallied around him and made him their leader. The people who were oppressed by the foreigners began to have faith in this prince. Sinhala youth voluntarily joined his forces and underwent training.

3. The prince too worked day and night to make them clever soldiers. Before long, these youth turned out to be clever warriors. By this time, Lokeshwara was the ruler in Kataragama. No one in Ruhuna opposed him, as they were all scared of him. But because he was a cruel ruler, nobody liked his leadership.

4. Yet, they did not want to desert him, as they had no other Sinhala leader. Meanwhile, the best friend of Lokeshwara, got angry with him. He was a warrior named Buddharaja. He, in disgust, gave up all his positions and fled from the area. He lived in hiding in a village named 'Sunsal'. There lived a fortune-teller in this village. He was Sangha by name. He got friendly with Buddharaja.

5. This fortune-teller had met Prince Keerthi too. Once when Buddharaja and the fortune-teller were engaged in a pleasant conversation, there was mention of Prince Keerthi. In the course of the conversation, the fortune-teller told the warrior about this prince. The warrior, then asked whether that prince would be able to unite the country and rule one day. Then the fortune-teller said, "What are you asking me? This prince has a power, even to unite the whole of India and rule as one unit. So why ask about Sri Lanka?"

6. When Sangha the fortune-teller came out with all this, Commander Buddharaja was more than happy. He thought, "Then I can console myself, thinking he would defeat the enemy and save Mother Lanka from foreign rule." He decided then and there, to be a party to that good deed. Immediately, he left for Malayarata, met Prince Keerti and spoke to him. He said that he too would like to assist in the great and noble task of saving our country.

7. Prince Keerti was happy to hear this. By this time, the prince had collected a huge army, all of whom had joined through sheer patriotism. They worked voluntarily. All they needed was to assist in the task of saving Mother Lanka. Before long, Prince Keerti started his mission. He first attacked the enemy province of 'Bowala'. He annexed that area and set up camp there. This angered Lokeshwara. What he did not like most, was to notice that Commander Buddharaja too had joined Prince Keerti.

8. Lokeshwara who was almost blinded by his thirst for power, thought that he should somehow, put an end to Prince Keerti's life. He sent an army to fight Keerti. They besieged the province. This frightened the residents and so they went into hiding. Everyone knew what a cruel leader Lokeshwara was. The only one, who was not disturbed was, Prince Keerti. He said to Commander Buddharaja, "Let us face him. You organize the army. I'll be leading it."