[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Literature, language and dating](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature) › [A History of Indian Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927) › v2.c19.s5.145 # A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s5.145 A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s5.145 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c19.s5.145](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s5.145) However, even though the subject-matter of the old Mahāvaṃsa moves within the same limits as that of the Dīpavaṃsa, Mahānāma has nevertheless inserted a considerable amount of new material within these limits. Above all, he has taken the story of King Gāmaṇi the wicked (Duṭṭhagāmaṇi), to whom only 13 verses are devoted in the Dīpavaṃsa, and developed it into an independent heroic poem (\*Geiger\* calls it the "Duṭṭhagāmaṇi epic") in eleven cantos (22-32). In the first part he describes the warlike deeds of this mighty king, and not until the second part does he make him a hero of the faith, who atones for the streams of blood which he has caused to flow, by erecting sacred edifices, more especially the Mahāthūpa, "the great Stūpa," about the construction of which miracles are related. Mahānāma has also contrived to work into his composition a great number of fairy tale and romance motifs, some of which belong to universal literature. Whilst in the Dīpavaṃsa it is only mentioned that Vijaya and his companions were cast ashore in Ceylon, where they founded cities and established a kingdom, we are told in the Mahāvaṃsa (VII, 9 ff.) the most marvellous adventures of Vijaya and the ogress-sorceress Kuvaṇṇā, which vividly recall the experiences of Ulysses with Circe. A very interesting legend is that of King Eḷāra (21, 15 ff.) : - [Previous: v2.c19.s5.144](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s5.144) - [Next: v2.c19.s5.146](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s5.146) - [Up: v2.c19.s5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s5) ## Cites (2) - [Mahāvaṃsa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada_postcanon.vamsa.mahavamsa.7.9) — Pāli - [Dīpavaṃsa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada_postcanon.vamsa.dipavamsa) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s5.145](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s5.145) · Pramāṇa