Indian Antiquary Vol 02

SR No.: 032494
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 428
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[AUQUST, 1873.
disturbed in the early part by the competition of his brothers, whom he succeeded in reducing to submission."
6. Ceylon Reptiles, by Wm. Fergusson.
7. On an Inscription at Dondra, No. II., by J. W. Rhys Davids, C.C.S. This inscription has already been given in this Journal (I. A. vol. I. pp. 329-331), and Mr. Davids now reads the first sentence" In the 10th year of the Overlord Siri Sangha Bodi Śri Paråkrama Båhu, a cocoanut tope, bought for money, (near) to the Bhdmi-mahl-wihara, to the image-house, and 200 cocoanut trees to the Lord Dewa Raja (Vishnu)." And in addition to the citations formerly given for assigning the inscrip tion to Sulu Siri Sanga Bo, he adds from the Rajawali
Ohu bona Sri Sanga Bo rdja Siyagal wehera karawa Dewu nuwara karawa Dewa-raja sangayen solos awuruddak rajjaya keleya. Which Upham (vol. II. p. 248) translates :-"He was succeeded by his nephew, whose name was Sri Sanga Bo Râja, which king caused to be built the dagoba of Siagal, and the city Dewu Nuwara; and, through the assistance of Vishnu reigned for the space of 16 years." To this Mr. Davids adds the following:
Translation from the Mahavansa, Ch. 46. 1. After the death of Hatthadatha, Agra Bodhi, the eldest son of the king, also called Srf Sangha Bodhi, became king. 2. He was a righteous king, full of insight, and did innumerable acts of merit. 3. He superintended the maintenance of the priests of the three secte, preserved the canon of scripture, and forbade slaughter. 4. He gave offices impartially, according to merit, and favoured those who by birth or learning were worthy of favour. 5. Wherever he saw prieste, he, the highminded, did them honour and asked them to say the liturgy (parit) or talk of religion. 6. He studied under the wise, virtuous, and learned priest Dathåsiva of Nagasala monastery. 7. And there, having thoroughly heard the teaching of the all-wise one, being perfected in religion, he became a doer of all gentle deeds. 8. Having heard a discussion between priestesses who (previous to their putting on the robes) were related to him, he quite turned away his favour from those who were wicked heretice. 9. He restored broken monasteries and parivenas to their former state. 10. He restored alms fallen into abeyance, and gave slaves to the priesthood according to the necessities of each (sacred) place. 11. He made a splendid house for that priest, called after his 1 name; which, having received, he, the highminded one, gave to the priesthood. 12. And the king gave to him villages for his maintenance, Bha- rattâla and Kihimbila, and Kataka and Tuladhara.
13. And Andhakara, and Attureli, and Bâlava, and Dvåranayaka, and Mahanikatthika, and Pelahâla also. 14. These villages and others he, the lord of men, gave for maintenance, and he gave servants also of those related to himself. 15 Then, either seeing or hearing that monasteries of both sects were poorly provided for, he gave many villages for their maintenance. 16. But what is the use of much speaking P to the three sects he gave a thousand villages, fruitful ones and undisputed. 17. And following the three gems in the highest virtue, he took a necklace and turned it into a rosary. 18. So in every way he followed after religion; and all men, taking him for their example, became doers of virtue.
19. A Tamil called Potthakuntha, who was his constant servant, made a splendid and wonderful house called Måtambiya. 20. And the king gave him Ambavâpi in Bukakalle, and the cloth-weavers' village Châtika, and the village Hitthilavetthi, with the slaves (living therein). 21. And he built as residences the monasteries at Kappdra and the places at Kurundapillaka. 22. In other places too the wealthy one divided villages among the monasteries; and the wise general named Potthasåta added to Jeta Vihårs 23. A parivena called after the king's name; and Mahakanda the Tamil a parivena of the same name.
24. And the under-king Sanghatissa made a small house called Sehala-upa-råjaka for the king. 25. And in other places many people both built monasteries (of which these are only a few), and were full of goodness, following the example of the king. 26. For when the chief does evil or good, the world does just the same; let him who' is wise note this. 27. This king had a most virtuous queen called Jetthå, who built the Jetthâ monastery as a home for priestesses. 28. And gave, to it two villages in pery stony land called Tanbuddha and Helagâma, together with a hun. dred slaves. 29. And the king added a splendid relic house to the dagoba in Måndalagiri monastery.
30. And he roofed in the inner chamber in the Brazen Palace (at Anuradhapura). The celebrated Bodhi Tissa built Bodhi Tissa monastery. 31. And all the provincial governors throughout the island built monasteries and parivenas not a few, acsording to their ability. 32. In the time of this chief of men everywhere in the island virtue alone was practised.
33. It seems bad to me (thought the king), according to the most important sign of goodness, to have passed so much time here. 34. So after a time he went to Pulastipura, and there lived, acquiring merit. 35. Then when he was afflicted