Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.2689

v2.c31.2689

2. Māṇābharaṇa.—Son of Sirivallabha and Sugalā. Lilāvati was his sister.¹ He married Mittā, daughter of Māṇābharaṇa I., and also her sister, Pabhāvati, and by the latter he had a son, Kittisirimegha.² Māṇābharaṇa reigned in Rohaṇa as an independent king.³ When the throne was captured by Gajabāhu, Māṇābharaṇa tried several times to wrest it from him, but, failing in these attempts, made an alliance with Gajabāhu through the intervention of the monks; later, however, finding Parakkamabāhu growing in power, he went over to him.⁴ When Gajabāhu was captured and detained at Pulatthinagara, the soldiers started to pillage the city, despite the orders of Parakkamabāhu. The people were enraged and invited Mānābharaṇa to come. On his arrival at Pulatthipura, he captured Gajabāhu and threw him into a dungeon, seized all the treasures, including the Tooth Relic and Alms-bowl, and took counsel with his mother to kill Gajabāhu. On hearing of this, Parakkamabāhu sent his forces against Mānābharaṇa and defeated the latter’s followers at various places. Mānābharaṇa then fled to Rohaṇa, taking with him some of the treasures.⁵ From there he again tried to ally himself with Gajabāhu; but the latter did not so desire, though his ministers were in favour of it. Relying on their support, Mānābharaṇa advanced from Rohaṇa. He was, however, severely defeated at Pūnagāma and other places and Parakkamabāhu’s forces assailed him from all sides. The campaign brought varying success to the opposing armies, and Mānābharaṇa proved a skilful warrior. He was helped by various chieftains and fought bitterly and valiantly to the end,⁶ but, as he lay dying, he summoned his children and ministers and counselled them to join Parakkamabāhu. Even after his death his queen Sugalā encouraged intrigues against Parakkamabāhu.⁷