July 25, 2007
12. The battle between Taru and Kanda
King Taru Piyum saw that Kalutara had been surrounded by an army and realized that he was faced with a danger from an enemy.
King Taru enquired as to why his nephew Mahasen had come there from Kataragama.
When he came to know that his nephew had come to war, the uncle sent him a message which read thus;
“In a battle for the crown, I have no desire to destroy people other than the leader himself.”
The Duel
“Therefore let us engage in a duel with the sword setting an example to future generations.”
The Prince replied his message thus; “I am willing to engage in that battle today itself”
The Prince clad in red and mounted on a red horse came for the battle like unto God Yama.
King Taru clad in white and mounted on a white horse entered the battle field, displaying an underlying desire for peace.
There was no chance of dealing a blow, other than evading the blows that came one after the other, as if from twelve hands.
King Taru who knew the strength of his nephew, had his sword unexpectedly broken to pieces with the very first blow he dealt.
Then Prince Kanda who thought of Hela ethics of war, allowed him to get a new sword, without attacking him.
King Taru who thought of the first occasion on which his blow had failed, stated thus to his nephew, without returning to battle;
“My son Mahasen, I shall not say this secretly. My forces too, I entrust to you who surpasses me in glory.”
Stating thus, the king cut his throat with his own kris without taking the sword that was brought to him, making the supreme sacrifice in the name of Hela dignity.
When King Taru sacrificed his life to keep his own dignity in the battle field, sister Sarasavi jumped into the Kaluganga and rose to the status of Brahman.
Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35