358 THE SINGHALESE CHRONICLES. [PART Ilf. 



B.C. and attests the accuracy of the chronicles which describe 



1G1 - its former magnificence. 



The character of Dutugaimunu is succinctly ex- 

 pressed in his dying avowal, that he had lived " a slave 

 to the priesthood." 1 Before partaking of food, it was 

 his practice to present a portion for their use ; and 

 recollecting in maturer age, that on one occasion, when 

 a child, he had so far forgotten this invariable rule, as 

 to eat a chilly without sharing it with a priest, he 

 submitted himself to a penance in expiation of this 

 youthful impiety. 2 His death scene, as described in 

 the.Mahawanso, contains an enumeration of the deeds 



B.C. of piety by which his reign had been signalised. 3 Ex- 



] J7> tended on his couch in front of the great dagoba which 

 he had erected, he thus addressed one of his military 

 companions who had embraced the priesthood : " In 

 times past, supported by my ten warriors, I engaged in 

 battles ; now, single-handed, I commence my last con- 

 flict, with death ; and it is not permitted to me to over- 

 come my antagonist." " Ruler of men," replied the 

 thero, " without subduing the dominion of sin, the power 

 of death is invincible ; but call to recollection thy acts 

 of piety performed, and from these you wih 1 derive con- 

 solation." The secretary then " read from the register 

 of deeds of piety," that " one hundred wiharas, less 

 one, had been constructed by the Maharaja, that he 

 had built two great dagobas and the Brazen Palace at 

 Anarajapoora ; that in famines he had given his jewels to 

 support the pious ; that on three several occasions he 

 had clothed the whole priesthood throughout the island, 

 giving three garments to each ; that five times he had 

 conferred the sovereignty of the land for the space of 

 seven days on the National Church ; that he had 

 founded hospitals for the infirm, and distributed rice to 

 the indigent ; bestowed lamps on innumerable temples, 



1 Mahawanso, ch. xxxii. I 3 MaJutwanso, ch. xxxii. 



2 Mahawanso, ch. xxiv. xxv. 



