章 3: Chapter 03- Escaping for Life
Place: Somewhere on the road to the North
The road north to the capital was one of the busiest road in the country. There could seen regularly bullock caravans taking different types of goods, nobles and royal guards riding horses, nobles and merchants travelling through different kinds of carriages like horse carts, bullock carts and also, pilgrimage groups travel in carts or on foot. But this day, people who travel through this route was seen a young couple riding a horse in the direction of the capital. The horse was riding very speedy and dust on the road flew in all directions. Due to this many people and carts which travelling through road was rained with dust and many of them scolded this young couple. Some doubted the reason for riding horse like this. Many speculated that this couple was running away from home. Some were speculated they visiting some sick or dying relative in the capital. But both parts were not near to the truth about this young couple. That was true they were eloping, but for saving their life.
Sometime after young women signed for the young man to stop the horse. So the young man stopped and asked "Poththa*, why are you telling me to stop now? Outer gates of Anuradhapura city is very near now"
"Brother *Vasambha*, it is not what I want it. See, me, you and even horse too tired with riding. We ride all day long without stopping. So I think we should get rest now" Poththa said.
"Yes, you right. I think we should get some rest and think about next step. I also not think there is one following us this direction " young man named Vasambha told to young woman.
"Why is it that brother? Isn't general's mansion not informed yet about our disappearance" Poththa asked.
"No it is not. First, we took a detour to Dhambakolapatuna* port .So if they knew about our disappearance they think that we are going to Chola or Pandya kingdom and we are boarded in a ship or boat in port. So they would first check there. Even if they think we took a detour they never think we are going to the capital. Because capital is the most dangerous place to living for my namesake persons"
"Then brother Vasambha, why are we going there? If it is so dangerous?" Poththa asked.
"Didn't you hear? The most dangerous place is the safest place to live."
"Oh brother Vasambha, you are really intelligent" Poththa exclaimed.
Yes, these young people were eloping for their life. Because of young man was named Vasambha he had to hide from all persons who hunt down Vasambha's namesake people. Especially he was escaping from his uncle's pursuit.
He was born in Lambhakanna* noble clan and his parents sent him to his uncle who work as a general in north area of country. Then he worked under his uncle and made progress in there.At that time he fell love with a girl named Poththa in there. But unfortunate was his uncle also liked this girl and married this girl without of contest of this girl. For this reason Vasambha was angry with his uncle but never showed it and uncle also knew about that. When the royal order that said to kill off all the Vasambha namesake came to genaral's mansion this uncle thought to end up his nephew's trouble forever. But fortunately this plan was found by young wife of general and she tactfully saved this young man from this trap and both eloped from north and came to capital city.
After getting some rest Poththa told" Brother Vasambha, we can not enter city like this. Some of guards may recognize us" "Yes, you are right. We have to change our clothes and change our appearance too".Vasambha suggested.
"Where are going to find clothes?"
" Do you see that group walking to city. I think they should be pilgrimage group who went worship Nagadipa stupa .Let's go and ask from them is there any clothes to wear us" Vasambha told and took young woman with him to the group of men on road . "Hello brothers and sisters , where are you going to?" Vasambha asked from the group. After looking at this young couple some moments a mid aged man told "Hello young man we are going to our homes after ending pilgrimage to North"
"Oh uncle, it is nice to hear. Do you have any clothes to wear for both of us? Don't worry about taking freely. I will pay for that"
"It is okay young man. I think you young couple in some problem. It is good to have some money in hand. We will give for some clothes to you people"
"Thank you uncle …thank you uncle…thank you for helping us " Vasambha gave gratitude to him. "It is okay. Helping others is a thing that should be done. So don't need thanks to us" middle age man replied.
After getting a set of clothes both of them send their greetings for them. After changing their clothes the couple decided to enter the city on foot.
When city gates became near and near both couple was scared about getting recognized by someone. Sun was setting off from the horizon. People were going in and out of the city constantly. They were checked by guards at city gates and also checked goods carried by people too. "Brother , if they got news of our eloping ?" Poththa asked. "No.That can't be. There have no time being. This should be normal inspection. See they are not inspecting carefully. Only random search" Vasambha was rationally explained to Poththa."Yes , indeed. This means we can get into city without much trouble" "Yes"
When couple got near to the checkpoint, a Bullock cart was stopped after them. A young man who wearied white clothes got out from the cart and went to meet this couple. "Hello young friend, our Thero* would like to meet you guys" young man was told them after greeting. "Okay " Vasambha went in direction of the carriage while resigning his life to luck in mind. When greeting at the monk, Vasambha was identified this monk was a very popular thero who lived in Nagadipa Viharaya called there Nagadharma. He remembered he regularly meet up with this monk and getting advises from him. "Young benefactor, not talk about other thin. Do you have a place to stay this night? If not I am going to meet grand thero in Mahaviharaya. I can arrange a place to stay both of you in the resting hall in the area of the Sacred tree of Lord Buddha." There was told to Vasambha. "Thero, getting help from your eminence is not a good thing to do" "Young benefactor, when almsgiver is in trouble it is the responsibility of us threros to protect that alms giver. Not talk much. Come and sit here. Then talk about future plans."Nagadharama there was explained Vasambha. Then he "Thero…but…" was eye turned the direction of Poththa with helplessness. "Oh! Young benefactor. Not afraid about that. That benefactor can get in with us. She can enter the next cart. It is taking some goods to Vihara and grand thero. You can rest assured that"
After explaining the situation to Poththa, Vasambha entered the carriage of thero. Both carriages passed through the city gate without trouble and cart drivers direct carts in direction of the Sacred tree of Lord Buddha. At that time, young Vasambha was thinking about his future. But no one knew at that time country was facing a dreadful event soon.
Brother-This is not pronounced about a sibling relationship. But rather than pronouncing about lover or friend.
Poththa or Miththa – Queen of King Vasambha
Vasambha- First king of Lambhakanna royal house.
Lambhakanna- Royal and noble house in ancient Sri Lanka .They said these clan men had hanging ear lobes. Some are telling that they worked as writers in royal court .
Dambhakolapatuna – An international port which located in north of country at ancient Sri Lanka.
Thero – A more respected addressing way of monk in Sri Lanka
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