344 The rock temples of Dambool, Ceylon. [April, 



villages, the towns, and the cities, and having explored the places diffi- 

 cult of access, the fastnesses surrounded with water, the strongholds 

 in the midst of forests, and those upon steep hills, he had as precise a 

 view of the whole as if it was an mnlaca (a kind of prism) on the 

 palm of his hand, and such was the security he established, as well in 

 the wilderness, as in the inhabited places, that even a woman might 

 traverse the country with a precious jewel, and not be asked, what is it ? 

 When he had thus ensured safety in the island, he longed to engage 

 in war, and twice dismayed the kings of Paandi,* and having accepted 

 the royal maidens, and also the elephants and horses, with other tributes 

 of homage which they sent him, he formed friendly alliances with such 

 of the princes of Choda, of Gowda, and of many other countries as 

 duly appreciated his good will, but by his personal valour struck terror 

 into those who esteemed not his friendship ; and he caused princesses 

 to be brought to him from each of those countries, with other tributes 

 of homage, and as then there remained no hostile kings throughout 

 Dambadiva to wage war against him, he tarried at Rammisseram, where 

 he made donations of balanced weights, consisting of valuables, and 

 thus enriched the poor and satisfied the needy. He then caused obe- 

 lisks of victory formed of stone to be set up as lasting monuments, and 

 having built a devale consisting of five divisions, departed thence with 

 his army, composed of four regular bodies, and returned to Ceylon. 

 Then reflecting that albeit he had no enemies here, he might possibly 

 encounter enemies hereafter, he caused alms-houses to be erected in 

 many places in Dambadiva, as well as in this island, and caused alms 

 to be distributed constantly. He also caused gardens and fields to be 

 cultivated and dwellings for priests to be formed upon the hill Ranko- 

 hokalooheene, wherein is situated the cave of Dambula Sena. 



" Having a perfect knowledge of the doctrines of Buddha, he pro- 

 moted the cause of religion, and also the interests of science ; he restored 

 the ruined fanes, and the roads which were destroyed in consequence of 

 the calamities which had befallen the land, during former reigns, and 

 rebuilt the wihares in the city of Anuradhapura, in Kelania, Mewoo- 

 yone and many other places ; he expended vast riches, and within this 

 wihare he caused to be made seventy-two statues of Buddhu, in the 

 recumbent, the sitting, and the standing posture, and having caused 



* An ancient kingdom on the Coromandel coast. Its capital was Madura. 



