A Legend of Kandy

A LEGEND OF KANDY At a certain place in Lankawa (Ceylon), there was an extensive forest. In that forest there were elephants, bears, leopards, wanduras, and…

A LEGEND OF KANDY

At a certain place in Lankawa (Ceylon), there was an extensive forest. In that forest there were elephants, bears, leopards, wanduras, and many other jungle animals.

At any time whatever, at the time when any animal springs for seizing an animal that is its prey, it comes running near a rock that is in an open place in the forest. Having arrived near the rock, the animal that ran through fear goes bounding back after the animal that is chasing it. Regarding that rock, it was the custom that it was [known as] "The Rock of the Part where there is Tranquillity" (Sen-kada-gala ).

One day a Basket-mender for the purpose of cutting bamboos went into this forest. While he was cutting bamboos a certain jackal went driving a hare on the path. At the time when the hare arrived near this rock the jackal began to run back, and the hare ran behind it.

The Basket-mender, having been looking at this, examined the place, and having gone near the King who was ruling at that time, told him of this circumstance. And the King, having thought that it is a good victorious ground, went there, and having built a city makes it his capital (raja-dhaniya). For that city he made the name Senkadagala [Nuwara--that is, Kandy].