[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Dictionary of Pali Proper Names](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937) › v1.c10.243 # Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c10.243 Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names v1.c10.243 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c10.243](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c10.243) Eḷāra.—King of Anurādhapura (145-101 B.C.) He was a native of Coḷa, and having come to Ceylon, overpowered the reigning king, Asela, and captured the throne. The Mahāvamsa says¹ that he ruled with “even justice towards friend and foe,” and many stories are related showing his love of fairness and his kindness. Although an unbeliever, he paid the greatest respect to Buddhism, and he is credited with having persuaded the gods, by his determination, to send rain over his kingdom only at convenient times. Eḷāra had a general named Mitta²; the chief of his forces was Dīghajantu, while his royal elephant was called Mahāpabbata. In the great battle between Eḷāra’s forces and the Sinhalese soldiers under Duṭṭhagāmaṇī, Eḷāra was slain in single contest with the latter. In recognition of the dead king’s chivalry, great honours were paid to him at his funeral and a monument was erected over his ashes. For many generations all music was stopped while passing the monument as a mark of respect to the honoured dead.³ - [Previous: v1.c10.242](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c10.242) - [Next: v1.c10.244](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c10.244) - [Up: v1.c10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c10) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c10.243](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c10.243) · Pramāṇa