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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XII. 



out a mixed descent from the large aboriginal population 

 that Vijaya found. 



How Ravana obtains Ceylon. 

 Incidents connected with Indian mythology throw occa- 

 sional light on the ethnology of Ceylon. Amongst the ten 

 incarnations of Vishnu, one is narrated as the Rama 

 avatar a. 



A giant, Ravana, did severe penance till the divinity 

 appeared to him and asked what reward he sought. Upon 

 which Ravana asked to be appointed king of Ceylon. His 

 prayer being granted his conduct became overbearing, and he 

 gave offence even to the gods, who complained to the highest 

 god, receiving the comforting assurance that a king Dasaratha, 

 having done severe penance in order to get children, the 

 highest god had directed Vishnu to be born to him as 

 Rama, who, with his brother Lakshmana, should destroy 

 Ravana. 



Rama was born, the son of Kausalya, one of the wives of 

 Dasaratha, king of Ay oddhya (the present Oude). Rama, after 

 performing some of the usual wonderful feats of mythology, 

 married the beautiful Sita. But their happiness was not to 

 T>e of long duration. Kaikeya, Dasaratha's youngest wife,, 

 desired to place her own son Bharata on the throne, and 

 through her intrigues Rama was banished to the wilderness, 

 and he was accompanied by his affectionate Sita and his 

 faithful brother Lakshmana. 



A giantess, Maricha, contrived that Rama should be led to 

 pursue a deceptive deer. Thus having his opportunity,. 

 Ravana takes up Sita and carries her towards Ceylon. In 

 the course of his flight two fabulous birds fight with Ravana, 

 who kills them. Their bodies fall to the earth. Rama, 

 inconsolable at his loss, meets Vali and Sugriva, monkey 

 princes, and their general, Hanuman, who was sent forth to 

 discover where Sita was concealed. He discovers that she 

 is an unwilling captive at the court of Ravana, and is sent as 

 ambassador to demand her release, and meets with a ref usaL 



