Abhaya Naga
Abhaya Naga (237 - 245) was King of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, in the 3rd century, whose reign lasted from 237 to 245. He succeeded his brother Voharika Tissa as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his nephew Siri Naga II.
Contents
Jat clan
History
In Mahavansa
Mahavansa/Chapter 36 tells....Voharika Tissa king's younger brother, known as Abhaya Naga, who was the queen's lover, being discovered (in his guilt) took flight for fear of his brother and went with his serving-men to Bhallatittha and as if wroth with him, he had his uncle's hands and feet cut off. And that he might bring about division in the kingdom, he left him behind here and took his most faithful followers with him, showing them the example of the dog, and he himself took ship at the same place and went to the other shore. But the uncle, Subbadeva, went to the king and making as if he were his friend he wrought division in the kingdom. And that he might have knowledge of this, Abhaya Naga sent a messenger thither. When Subhadeva saw him he loosened (the earth) round about an areca-palm, with the shaft of his spear, as he walked round (the tree), and when he had made it thus (to hold) but feebly by the roots, he struck it down with his arm; then did he threaten the (messenger), and drove him forth. The messenger went and told this matter to Abhaya Naga. And when he knew this, Abhaya Naga took many Damilas with him and marched from there against the city to do battle with his brother. On news of this the king took flight, and, with his consort, mounting a horse he came to Malaya. The younger brother pursued him, and when he had slain the king in Malaya, he returned with the queen and reigned eight years in the capital as king.
The king set up a vedi of stone round about the great Bodhi-tree, and a pavilion in the courtyard of the Lohapasäda. And obtaining garments of every kind for twice a hundred thousand (pieces of money), he distributed gifts of clothing among the brotherhood of bhikkhus on the island.
After Abhaya Naga's death, Siri Naga II, the son of his brother Tissa, reigned two years in Lanka. When he had restored the wall round about the great Bodhi-tree, then did this king also build in the sand-court of the temple of the great Bodhitree, to the south of the Mucela-tree, the beautiful Hamsavatta and a great pavilion besides.
Siri Naga II's son named Vijaya Kumaraka reigned for one year after his father's death.