SIGIRIYA

                                You have all heard about Sigiriya and perhaps you have visited it. It is a small village ten miles off Dambulla in the district of Matale in Sri Lanka. Visitors go there nearly every day to climb its huge Rock of ancient fane and see the beautiful paintings on a part of its walls as well as the interesting ruins found there. This Rock id very steep and is about 600 feet in height. It was once the “fortress” of king of eighteen years. Here is the story of this king.

                        About fifteen centuries ago King Dhatusena, the builder of Kalawewa Tank, ruled at Anuradahapura. He had two sons Kasyapa and Moggallana, and a daughter. Kasyapa was, however, not born of the queen. His mother woman of low birth, and Kasyapa therefore had no claim to the throne. Moggallana, on the other hand, was born of the royal queen and was the rightful heir. The king’s daughter married the ‘Senapathi’ (the Commander-in-chief of the King’s army) but her mother-in-low was a cruel woman and she ill treated her. When the king heard of this he flew into such a violent rage that he burnt the mother-in-law alive! Angered by this wicked deed, the Senapathi now looked out for a way of revenging himself on the king. Knowing that Kasyapa was displeased with his father, because his low birth prevented him from becoming king after him, the Senapathi urged him to rebel against the king. Kasyapa readily agreed. He captured his father with the Sanapathi’s support, and is said to have stood him up against a wall and buried him alive by plastering him over with clay! He tried to seize his brother Moggallana, too and do away with him because he feared that some day Moggallana would make abid for the throne. But Moggallana was too quick for him. He escaped to India.

                                                   Kasyapa now placed himself on the throne and ruled at Anuradhapura. His subjects, however, were displeased with him over the foul murder of his father, and he lived in constant fear of a rebellion. He also feared that his brother, with an army from India, would invade Ceylon at any moment. So he moved his capital to Sigiriya where, on the top of the Rock, he built himself a large and beautiful palace. He built a wonderful staircase leading to it through the moth of a huge lion carved out of stone. He named the Rock “Sinha-giri” or “Sigiri”, which means “Lion Rock.” Round this he built a moat to protect himself against enemies. On a side of the royal palace he had large pond made. Several watch-towers, built on the summit of Rock, overlooked the surrounding country.

              Kasyapa reined from this Rock fortress for eighteen years until Moggallana came with a powerful army to wage war on him. Instead of waiting for him in his fortress he came down the Rock and bravely rode forth to meet his brother. On the way he came across a muddy place and he turned his elephant back to go along another way. His men, however, thought that he was turning aside to avoid a battle, and so they fled, leaving him all alone. Feeling ashamed to fall into the hands of his brother, Kasyapa killed himself by cutting his throat with his own sword.