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JOURNAL, E. A. S. (CEYLON). [Vol. YI1L 



NOTE. 



The Elu poets, following a Sanskrit model, frequently 

 wrote their poems in the form of sandesas or messages, 

 which they poetically imagined to entrust to some particu- 

 lar bird to deliver. The following are the best known of 

 the Sinhalese Bird sandesas. 



1. Mayura-sandesa, "the Peacock's message." Author 

 not known. From Gangasripura (Gampola) to the temple 

 of Vishnu at Devinuwara (Dondra). 



2. Selalihini-sandesa, "the Mina's message." By Sri 

 Rahula of Totagamuwa. From Jayawardhanapura (Kotte) 

 to Kelaniya, praying Vibhisana, the presiding deity of 

 Kelaniya, to give a son to Princess Ulakuda, the daughter 

 of King Parakrama Bahu of Kotte. 



3. Param-sandesa, "the Pigeon's message." By Sri Ra- 

 hula of Totagamuwa. From Kotte" to Devundara, asking 

 Vishnu, the presiding deity of Devundara, to bless the army 

 of King Parakrama Bahu's brother, who was then the Gover- 

 nor of Jaffna. 



4. Kovul-sandesa, " the Koel's message." By Irugalkula 

 Parivenadhipati, a priest of Mulgirigala, asking a blessing 

 from Vishnu, deity presiding over the temple at Devundara, 

 upon the Prince Sapumal, the son of Parakrama Bahu, who was 

 then conducting a war at Jaffna against A'ryachakravarti, 

 the King of Karnata. 



5. Tisara-sandesa, " the Swan's message" (two.) One 

 supposed to have been written by priest Vidagama of 

 Rayigam Korale, author of many other poetical works of 

 great merit. The other, whose author is not known, is 

 characterized by correctness of versification and great 

 elegance of style. 



6. Sevul-sandesa, " the Cock's message." By Alagiya- 

 wanna Mohottala. Message to god Saman, sent from 

 Sitavaka to Saparapura. 



7. Gird-sandesa, " the Parrot's message." By the priest 

 Dharmmarama. Message to Sri Rahula of Totagama. 



