Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c35.947

v2.c35.947

2. Vikkamabāhu. Son of Vijayabāhu I. and Tilokasundarī. He had two wives, Sundarī and Lilāvatī.¹ He was made Ādipāda by Vijayabāhu I., and, when his son Gajabāhu was born, the king gave the province of Rohaṇa for his welfare. Vikkamabāhu lived there with Mahānāgahula as his capital.² When Vijayabāhu died, some of Vikkamabāhu's relations, Jayabāhu and the three sons of Mittā (Māṇābharaṇa, Kittisirimegha and Sirivallabha) conspired to keep him out of the succession, but he defeated them in various battles and took possession of the capital Pulatthipura, losing, however, Dakkhiṇadesa and his former province of Rohaṇa.³ A year later his enemies again rose in revolt, led by Māṇābharaṇa, and, as Vikkamabāhu advanced to Kalyaṇī to fight them, Vīradeva of Palandīpa (q.v.) landed in Mannāra, and his attention was diverted. In the first engagements, Vikkamabāhu was defeated by Vīradeva and forced to flee to Koṭṭhasāra, but Vīradeva was later defeated and slain at Antaraviṭṭhika. From then onwards Vikkamabāhu and the three sons of Mittā (see above) lived each in his province, but became unpopular both with the saṅgha and the laity owing to their greed and lust. Following the death of Jayabāhu and the Queen Mittā, Vikkamabāhu appears to have been acknowledged king (Vikkamabāhu II.); and it was evidently as such that the birth of his nephew, the prince who after became Parakkamabāhu I., was reported to him. Vikkamabāhu had two sons, Mahinda and Gajabāhu, but asked that his nephew should be sent to the court; this request, however, was not granted.⁴ Vikkamabāhu reigned, till his death, for twenty-one years (1116-1137 A.C.), and was succeeded by his son Gajabāhu.⁵