Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c14.25.2

c14.25.2

(20) “Know this O builders, when the magul kapa is to be felled, that you should go to the tree’s root and clear it round about, (21) draw the aṭamagala diagram, set filled pots in the four corners, sprinkle sandal-milk, (22) the next day go and speak as follows: ‘Thou Deva dwelling in this tree, be pleased to leave the tree, if thou dost wish well to my house,’ (23) thus praying, break a branch from the tree, lay it on the ground, drag it away and throw it beneath another tree, (24) clean and order that tree trunk, scatter flowers, betel, sandal, and say ‘I pray thee, Deva, go to this tree and give thine own to me.’† (25) Having thus besought the Deva, hearken how to fell and take away the tree thus won by prayer, and what manner of man should fell the tree. (26) Of moderate hue, without a blemish even so large as a gingelly seed, neither over tall nor over short, with long hair like a peacock’s train, (27) with hairy chest and downy cheeks—nought amiss with his limbs—by such persons should this be done.” 28—38. What sorts of trees are not suitable, sex of tree, &c.