Shrishavastu

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Shrishavastu (श्रीशवस्तु) was a city of Yakshas in Tamraparni Island (Ceylon) as mentioned in Valahassa Jataka. Tamraparni was ancient name of Jaffna Island. Prince Vijaya slew all Yakshas and founded Tamraparni.

Variants

• Shrishavastu श्रीशवस्तु (AS, p.924)
• Shirishavastu शिरीषवस्तु = Shrishavastu श्रीशवस्तु (AS, p.900)
• Sirisavatthu = yakkha-city (Mahavansa/Chapter 7)

History

A city of the Yakkhas in Ceylon (Tambapannidipa) (See the Valahassa Jataka; cf. Mhv.vii.32).

According to the Mahavamsa Tika (MT. 259), at the time of Vijayas arrival in Ceylon, the chief Yakkha of the city was Mahakalasena. Jutindhara was the name of another Yakkha who lived there. MT. 289.

In Mahavansa

Mahavansa/Chapter 7 mentions about The Consecrating of Vijaya.... And she said to the prince: 'Here there is a yakkha-city called Sirisavatthu; the daughter of the chief of the yakkhas who dwells in the city of Lanka has been brought hither, and her mother is to come. And for the wedding there is high festival, lasting seven seven days; therefore there is this noise, for a treat multitude is gathered together. Even to-day do thou destroy the yakkhas, for afterwards it will no longer be possible.'

श्रीशवस्तु

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है ...श्रीशवस्तु (AS, p.924): 'बलाहाश्वजातक' में उल्लिखित एक ऐतिहासिक नगर - 'अतीते तम्बपण्णिदीपे सिरीसवत्थं नाम यक्खनगरं अहोसि।' अर्थात "ताम्रपर्णी द्वीप में 'श्रीश' या शिरीषवस्तु नाम का यक्षनगर था।" ताम्रपर्णी द्वीप श्रीलंका तथा भारत के संकीर्ण समुद्र में स्थित जाफना द्वीप का प्राचीन नाम था। इस प्रकार इस नगरी की [p.925]:स्थिति इस द्वीप पर ही रही होगी। यहाँ के आदिम निवासियों को ही यक्ष कहा गया प्रतीत होता है। कुछ विद्वानों का मत है कि सिंहल द्वीप या लंका का ही नाम ताम्रपर्णी था।