TRAILS OF A LEGACY
King Vattagamini: Walagambahu (104 BC – 104 BC)
After defeating the rebellious commander, Vattagamini became the ruler of the country.
(Vatthagamini is one of the sons of King Saddhatissa. Hence Vattagamini is a nephew of King Dutugamunu. King Saddhatissa had four sons: Thulathana, Lajjitissa, Kalltanaga and Vattagamini. Interestingly all four ruled the country).
Fleeing of Vattagamini : During Vattagamini’s time period, seven Tamil generals landed in Mahatittha. The battle between the Tamil army and King Vattagamini’s army erupted near a non Buddhist temple known as “Tittharama”. King Vattagamini’s army was defeated by the Tamil army and the King made the decision to flee. The chief ascetic of the Tittharama, named Giri yelled at the King “Maha Kala Sihala is fleeing”. Hearing the words of Giri, King said to himself that one day he would build a vihara at the loca- tion of Tittharama.
Soma Devi: The chariot of King Walagambahu was too heavy to carry the full family. There was the
King himself, his two sons and his first wife, ( Anula
Devi) and his second wife
(Soma Devi). To lighten the chariot, King asked Soma
Devi to leave the chariot and
Soma Devi got off from the chariot on her own consent. The King gave his crown jewels to her. The King left the alms bowl (Patthara Dhathu) of Lord Buddha in the city.
Soma Devi was captured by Tamils and one general married her and took her to India. King Vatthagamini fled to Rohana. (South of the country). The King was given protection by a bhikku named Mahatissa. Thera Mahatissa helped the King to hide from the Tamils.
Pulahattha to Dathika: (104 BC – 89 BC)
While the King was in hiding, Anuradhapura was ruled by one of the Tamil generals named Pulahattha. Then his friend, Bahiya killed Pulahattha and came to power. Pulahattha ruled the country for three years. Bahiya ruled the country for two years. Bahiya was killed by another Tamilgeneral named Panayamaraka. Panayamaraka ruled the country for seven years. Panayamaraka was killed by his general, Pilayamaraka. Pilayamaraka ruled the country for seven months. He was killed by Dathika. These Damila Kings ruled the country for 14 years. During this time, Vatthagamini gathered an army and came to the capital and captured power from Dathika.
Vatthagamini (Second Term): (89 BC – 77 BC)
After becoming the King for the second term, he demolished the Tittharama and built the Abhayagiri Vihara. (Abhayagiri Vihara is the fourth largest structure in the world after Kufu’s Pyramid, Kafre’s pyramid and red pyramid).
According to Mahavamsa; Today people in Sri Lanka have mis-identified the real Abhayagiri vihara. As per Mahavamsa, the Abhayagiri vihara built by King Vatthagamini is near the north gate of Anuradhapura. What is near the north gate of Anuradhapura is the Jethavana Vihara! Since the vihara near the north gate is the largest stupa in the country, King Walagambahu should get the credit for building the largest stupa in Sri Lanka and the fourth largest structure in the world. King Mahasen’s stupa (Jethavana) near the south gate of the city is the fifth largest and King Dutugamunu’s Mahathupa (Ruwan vali saaya) is the sixth largest structure in the world.
Bhikku Mahatissa Starts a New Faction: King Walagambahus’ good friend, bhikku Mahatissa was expelled by Mahavihara bhikkus for disciplinary reasons. Bhikku Mahatissa went to Abhayagiri vihara and started a new group in opposition to Mahavihara (Theravadha) bhikkus.
King Vatthagamini took the side of Abhayagiri vihara bhikkus and ignored Mahavihara bhikkus. Hence King Vatthagamini becomes the second King to ignore Mahavihara bhikkus and the Theravadha tradition of Sri Lanka.
To be continued…
Note Before – This series is a continuation from the previous week. In summary; After Prince Saliya married Asoka Mala, Prince Saliya could not be King. Therefore his brother Sadhdhatissa was consecrated as King.