Beginning
Bygone
Chapter 01
Introduction
It was not my intention to translate a book by a completely unknown character I have discovered accidentally when browsing, the Internet. However, having read the content and realizing the importance of its core content, I decided to delve in.
Newly found Sinhala Keyboard with dual functionality and the ability introduce snippets of Sinhala content was a big bonus. That made me to try word by word and phrase by translation of the content. Google was immensely helpful with instant translation of difficult Sinhala words. Only problem was it was in HTML format and there was no facility to edit the page format to my choice.
Temporary bed written state due to minor foot problem was a blessing in disguise. Instead of aimless blog pieces, a simple masterpiece is in the offing.
Chater 02
Elephant Mountain
Ceylon has many names. ගිජ්ජ කූට is one I never knew or heard before. This simple gentleman Jayarathne Pathiraarachchi has done the impossible with considerable handicaps.
Hat's off for him.
I tried working on OpenOffice at the beginning but inability to merge with either Google document or AbiWord put me off, OpenOffice, completely.
But I have found Google as a good ally.
Thank You, Google.
To begin with the story, it is was Pact or Treaty made with Lord Buddha.
It was made on a giant hill.
This giant hill was in Ceylon of the bygone times.
Lord Buddha was staying at the mountain Gijja Kuta when 4 Raksha (Ravana) kings with their four armies approach him for advice to settle some disputes arisen.
It is understood that there were at least four original tribes.
1. Manu or descendants of Manu also called Helayan in Heladiva or Jumpudeepa. They belonged to the Buddha or the Shakthriya clan.
2. Yakka living in the Northern part of the island called
3. Deva in the hills
4. Naga in the Kalaniya and Kalpitiya or Makkama, then
5. Dispites in Maiyanggna with Naga and Yaksha.
There were other minor tribes
6. Kumbanda
7. Gandhabba
One should understand that this is the period when prehistoric man is gradually canging from jungle habitat to civilization.
This was happenning through 4 Buddhas over about 20,000 years.
Last Ravana was the eight in a series of Ravana kings. The last Ravana or Yakka clan had seen and heard of the Kashshapa Buddha and had mellowed down but were yet aggressive to other tribes and wanting to subdue other tribes with the intention of grabbing more land. Tribal tendency of invading neighbours was still persisting.
During the last or the Gothama Buddha period land in Ceylon was divided into two regions. They were two entirely different administrative regions.
Rajagaha or Kibulwastupura where Buddha clan and Deva tribe lived.
The rest of the land was called Lankapura where Yakka reigned with subreigons beloning to Naga, Kumbhanda and Ghandarva. There were four subregions ruled by 4 subgroups.
These subregions were altogether under Yakka rule. No wonder, there bound to be perenial disputes on border regions for land and scarce resources. They were still hunter gatherers and farming and agriculture were yet to be establihed.
It is understood, since they were warring races, they have already establihed iron craftsmanship for producing shields and swards. They were probably in the post iron age. The dwelling were still natural caves and they were masters with granite tools and crafts. They probably used wood materials to soften granite. However, we have now lost those ancient trademarks or crafmanship.
1. SURA
Sura mainly belonged to the clan that descended from Manu or Manussa. They lived in the Jumbudeepa. Deva lived in the hills and were not allies of Manussa. There were disputes between Deva and Manussa. Naga always sided with Manussa.
2. ASURA
Rest of the clans was collectively called Asura. They were controlled by Yaksha tribe. In wars between Sura and Asura, the Naga, Kumbanda and Gandhabba allied with Yakka tribe.
The king of Yakka had many names.
Panitha
Kuwera
Wessamuni
Wesamuni
Weishwarna
It is most likely they have had a simple alphabet and a well established spoken language. Spoken language for Yaksha most likely had more inputs from Hela Basa.
What is important here is by marriage Saksha clan had bonds with Yaksha clan.
