Paragu - Gamani

Chapter (1)

The large trees growing in the monastery prevented Khema from seeing the pagoda on the Cittalapabbata mountain. Khema looked at the cart that followed. On the cart were Sanghadatta and Sumedha. Sanghadatta and Sumedha's attention seemed to be on the road that had been left behind. Khema could not see the objects that Sayandatta and Sumedha were looking at. The cart in which Sanghadatta and Sumedha were riding blocked the road from his view.

The rice fields, spread out like a vast expanse, and the green leaves swaying in the breeze, are on either side of the road. Crossing the rice fields, a long way away, the great space pagoda rises into the sky.

After a while, the knight on horseback, who had been riding at full speed, caught up with the two oxcarts, who reined in their horses and slowed down.

Khmer was coughing loudly because the dust from the cart had entered his mouth. His maidservant was also coughing. The maidservant was coughing not because the dust was bothering her, but because she wanted to imitate her mistress and pretend to be.

The cart driver seemed to be interested in the two horses walking with a calm and regular gait. Srinagar and Khema were focused on the two beautiful horses. They were only the size of little girls.

The maid was more interested in the tails of the two horses and the pieces of horse dung that fell one by one on the road. The two horses were walking steadily, their hooves clattering. Their tails were curling and wagging.

The rider in front seemed to be from a noble family. However, he was still young. The man on the second horse was a strong, burly man. The long sword hanging from his waist swayed in the rhythm of the horse's hooves.

Sanghadatta pointed to the cart in front of him. When Srinagara turned to look, he said softly, "O, my son Gamani."

Although it was said in a low voice, Srinagara understood the meaning by observing his friend's lips. Khema did not understand. However, he realized from his husband's story that the person riding ahead was his son Gamani, and he was overjoyed. His elated mind became overwhelmed with joy, and his heart beat faster. Khema prayed that his son would look back. Whether Khema understood his prayer, his son did look back.

Seeing flowers planted in front of both carts, the son realized that the people on the carts were pilgrims. He also saw a young couple looking at him respectfully. A smile appeared on his lips.

“I have seen my son twice. This is the second time,” said Khema. “He is now a young man. I still remember him. During the ceremony of the Tissa pagoda, Queen Mahadevi of Vihara came to see her two sons, each holding one hand.”

"It's been six years. Where have you been all this time?"

"I was a virgin at that time. My father took me."

“Yes, Khema, how have you changed between then and now?” Srinagar began.

Khema did not respond.

Khema felt sad as he remembered his father who had died four years earlier. His father had been attacked by bandits while traveling in a cart and had died tragically at the hands of bandits. Three days later, his body, which had rotted away, was carried home by three of his fellow princes. The one who cremated the body was Sanghadatta's father, and later, the fellow princes, on the orders of the king, sought out and killed the bandits. Srinagara and Sanghadatta became close friends at their teacher's house from that time on. Sanghadatta, who had never looked at Khema with lust, tried his best to arrange a marriage between Khema and Srinagara.

On the way to the Cittalapabbata Pagoda, Khema was deeply reflecting on the past. Over the course of six years, Khema had grown up. He had gotten married. Now he was pregnant.

When he entered the monastery, the son jumped off his horse and handed the reins to his companion. He left his sword tied to the saddle, took off his shoes, looked at his companion, and went to the pond. After washing his hands and feet in the pond, the son disappeared behind a tree.

Sumedha saw a young deer near a bush and showed it to Khema. When Khema looked, he saw not only a young deer but also a male and female deer eating grass at a distance. The maidservant held a tray of flowers to her chest and led the horse to the horse.

I'm watching a young man drag a horse to the pond to bathe it. That young man can carry a horse on his shoulders.

The girl wondered if he was strong enough.

Srinagar and Sanghadatta walked towards a pond where two horses were calmly bathing and drinking. Near the two horses, the strong young man saw two strangers, lying on the surface of the pond, their faces fresh, looking at him.

The first to speak was Sanghadatta.

“I am Sanghadatta of Tissava. I am the one who controls the vehicles that travel between Mahagama and Guttama. Sanghamitta, the governor of Guttama, is my father. He is my friend Kazaragama Srinaga. He is a man who is engaged in extensive farming. His land is about three yuzas in circumference. I have never seen or spoken to my friend before, but I can guess that he is a great warrior and a great king. Is he not Senapati Suranimala?”

"How do you know me, friend?" asked Suranimala in surprise.

"I have seen all the other generals except Gotama. Nandi is my friend. We became acquainted at the Giriga Sammaj festival held at Nagapavatta."

While Suranimala was greeting Sanghadatta and Srinaga, he saw two women standing at a distance.

"Friends, have you ever been to the Buddha of the Mind?" "Yes, of course."

Suranimala looked at Srinaga's face, which seemed to be confused.

“I think your friend is a traitor.” “Of course.”

"If you're holding the Giraga Sammala festival this time, will you invite me? I've heard about it. But I've never been there."

Suranimala saw that Sri Naga's face had turned ugly. Sanghadatta understood why Sri Naga's face had turned ugly. Therefore, he did not explain it to her, and it did not happen again.

“Senapati, hearing the word ‘Giragga Sammala’ makes my friend very unhappy. I myself am also very sad to talk about it. Senapati will probably hear the news that King Gautabaya Kazaragama has killed his ten sons. The incident took place on Mount Karinda, near the Karindanadi River. That place is where the waves of the sea, or the Indian Ocean, are constantly beating. The father of his son Srinaga

He was the youngest of ten brothers. While the ten brothers were enjoying a feast and resting, King Gotabaya's men stormed in. My friend, who is here with me now, was one of the brothers who was killed that day.

"He was the son of the youngest of his predecessors, the king's son, Anaka. From that day on, when the blood of Khattiya was shed, the Giraga Sammantha festival was no longer held on Mount Kalindapavada. It was moved to Mount Nagapavada. Now it is not even held on Mount Nagapavada. All those places have now become places for monks to meditate."

Sri Naga is looking up at the rocky mountains on the other side of the lake. It is obvious that he is trying to forget his uneasy feelings. On the mountain to the left is a large pagoda surrounded by small pagodas. The main pagoda in the center