Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c14.11

c14.11

So they set out for the park, and there found a lordly śal tree, straight and beautiful, worshipped by village and town and the royal family alike. They told the king, who answered, ‘You have found me a tree in the park; it is well, go now and fell it.’ ‘So be it,’ said they, and returned to the park, taking scented garlands and other offerings in their hands. When they were come back to the great tree, they hung upon it a garland of five branches, and girt it with a cord, fastened a knop of flowers against it and lit a lamp, and so honouring the tree, they spoke thus before it, ‘On the seventh day from this we shall fell this tree, for this is the king’s command. Let those dēvas who may be dwelling in the tree depart elsewhither, and not unto us be the blame.’