Dutugemunu becomes king

We spoke about Prince Dutugemunu’s ten giant warriors in our last article on this page. Today, we continue with the life story of Dutugemunu. He was one of the greatest kings in our history. Therefore, we have a lot to talk about him and the services he rendered to this country. First of all, let us tell you about the death of King Kavantissa.

The old king’s death led to a lot of internal conflicts within the Kingdom of Ruhuna. After his death, Queen Vihara Maha Devi took his body in a horse-drawn carriage to Tissamaharama. Monks were consulted regarding the cremation of the dead king.

Prince Tissa, after receiving this news, hurried from Dighavapi (Digamadulla) and attended to the funeral rites of his father, before the arrival of his brother Dutugemunu.

This led to a rift between the two brothers and Prince Tissa did not want to meet his elder brother and make the problem even worse. While these things were taking place, the ministers of the late king met in consultation, to decide over the successor to the throne.

They decided on Prince Gemunu. A message was sent to Dutugemunu, who was then in Kotmale, to return to Magama and take over the throne.

You may remember that Prince Dutugemunu was hiding in Kotmale after sending women’s clothing to his father. He was living as a helper in a farmer’s house without anyone in the area being aware of his true identity. Even the farmer and his family did not know that it was Prince Dutugemunu who was residing with them.

Queen Vihara Maha Devi sent a messenger to her elder son about the death of his father. She wanted him to come home, so that they could decide the successor to the throne. It was only when this messenger turned up, that the villagers realised that it was Prince Dutugemunu who had been living with them all this time.

According to historians, by living in Kotmale as a farmer boy, Prince Dutugemunu had gained a lot of experience, which later helped him when he was ruling the country and battling with Elara.

Dutugemunu returned home after receiving the messege of his father’s death. After a ceremony held to bless the prince, he was declared as the successor to his father.

However, after King Kavantissa’s death, a struggle for power began between Dutugemunu and Tissa, each claiming the right of ownership of the royal tusker Kandula and the queen mother Vihara Maha Devi. Dutugemunu realised the danger from his brother Tissa, who was then in Dighavapi.

He marched with some of his soldiers to prevent sudden attacks. Guttahala was the centre between Mahiyangana and Magama. It was considered a strategic spot for security. He stationed some soldiers there to guard the area in case of a sudden attack. Soon afterwards, messages were sent to his brother Tissa to send his mother and the elephant Kandula to Magama. These requests were ignored by Tissa.

Prince Dutugemunu marched with his soldiers to force him to hand them over as requested. The two brothers met each other close to Guttahala in the direction of Dighavapi. They were getting ready for battle. It resulted in two battles, one was won by Prince Dutugemunu and the other by Prince Tissa.

The legend relates how Prince Tissa lost and fled to Dematamal Viharaya where the chief incumbent Gonashanka Tissa Thera saved his life by hiding him within the vihara premises. Prince Dutugemunu, it is said, after entering the vihara premises, inquired from the chief incumbent about the whereabouts of his brother, who at that time was hiding underneath the bed of the Maha Thera.

The Thera was not willing to agree to his request and hand over Prince Tissa, and thus remained silent. Prince Gemunu thereafter placed his soldiers in strategic places to prevent the hiding prince from escaping.

Prince Tissa stayed within the vihara for some days and a plan was drawn up by the monks for him to escape. Accordingly, he was disguised as a dead monk and carried out on a bed by the samaneras. On seeing this act, it was said that Prince Dutugemunu remarked, “Tissa, never get carried on the shoulders of monks”.

Later, the chief monk brought about unity between the two brothers and this unity remained throughout their lifetime.

Dutugemunu received a warm welcome from his people on his return to Magama. He offered alms to the Sangha who helped and advised him. He was also helped by his mother. In our next article, we will tell you how King Dutugemunu defeated Elara.

-Janani Amarasekara