The story of Sinhabahu

Long ago in India there lived a beautiful princess.

One day, she was travelling from one city to another, with a number of other people. On the way, a lion attacked them.

The lion killed several of the people, while the others ran away. But the princess was so beautiful that the lion fell in love with her. He came towards her with the tail waving and ears laid back. The princess, without any fear, stroked him.

The lion, full of joy at her touch, allowed her to climb on his back and then he took her to his cave.

For many years they lived happily together. The princess had two children, a boy and a girl. She called the boy Sinhabahu or lion-armed and the girl Sinhasivali, or lion-maiden.

When he grew up, the boy Sinhabahu wanted to leave the cave and return to civilization. So one day, when the lion was out hunting in the forest, he ran away with his mother and sister.

They roamed through the forest and at last, came to the princess’ city. When the lion returned to the cave, he found it empty. His wife and children were gone. He looked for them in the forest, but in vain. So the lion went from one city to another, looking for his wife and children. Wherever he went, the people left the city in fear of him.

After a long time, he came to the city where his wife and children were now residing. The people of the city came and told the king that a lion was roaming around the city.

The king offered a grand monetary prize to anyone who would kill the lion. When no one came forward he increased the prize. Sinhabahu wanted to kill the lion, butthree times his mother stopped him. Then, without telling his mother, he went to the king and said, “I will kill the lion.”

Sinhabahu took his bow and arrows and went out. When the lion saw him, he knew that it was his son.

So, he came towards the man full of love, waving his tail. But Sinhabahu shot an arrow. However, so great was the love of the lion that the arrow fell from his forehead without harming him.

Three times this happened. Then the lion became angry. Because of his anger, the next arrow pierced him and killed him.When Sinhabahu returned to the city, the king wanted to give him the kingdom. But he took his mother and sister and went away.

He built another city and called it Sinhapura, or Lion City.

According to legend, King Vijaya, who arrived in Sri Lanka and established the Sinhalese race, is believed to be the son of Sinhabahu and Sinhasivali.

- Asha Senevirathne (From the Mahavansa)