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viii
NIRAYAVALIYÃO
only in respect of the first section. The second section is related to the first by a threadbare connection as it narrates the fate of Seniya's grandsons, while the first does of Seniya's sons. The third and the fourth sections are again akin, the former narrating the history of some gods and the latter of goddesses. The fifth section is an independent work of small extent and is tacked on to the previous ones.
The first section, Nirayavaliyão, records the deeds of a series of persons who, as a result of these, went to hell. King Seniya had several sons by different wives: Abhayakumara seems to be the eldest of them all. The first chapter of this section gives us some details about the birth of Kuniya, Seniya's son by his wife Cellaṇā (§ 20-34), his wicked desire to capture his father's throne during his life-time (§ 35-39), his attempt to deprive his younger brother Vehalla of Seniya's gift to him of a precious necklace and an elephant, and his alliance with his step-brothers, Kala and nine others, for that purpose ($40-56). Being acquainted with this intention of Kūniya, Vehalla sought shelter at the court of his maternal grandfather Cetaka. Now king Cetaka, thinking that Vehalla's cause was a righteous one, made an alliance with nine Mallakis and nine Licchavis to defend his grandson against Kuniya and his ten step-brothers (§ 57-59). The
