Ten Mighty Warriors of King Dutugemunu

These mighty warriors are real and they are the backbone/keepers/Guardians of our Buddhist country.

All images are copyright to "ALOKA KODITUWAKKU"



01. Labhiyavasabha - Vasabha was born, the son of the house holder Matta, in the village of Viharavapi, near the Tuladhara mountain, and was named Labhiyavasabha – vasabha the gifted, most handsome, on account of his noble physique. At the age of twenty it is said, Vasabha had single-handedly moved such masses of earth that could only be moved by a dozen men to build the Vasabha tank with relative ease.

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02. Velusumana - The warrior Velusumana was born the son of a house holder named Vasabha, in the Kutumbiyangana in the Giri district, and was named after his friends Vela and Sumana – who was the governor of Giri. Young Velusamana was able to ride "Sindhu" (Saindhava – form the Indus country) a horse belonging to the governor, a beast that would not let any man ride him. Velusamanna not only broke the beast but galloped in circles so fast that he made it appear a chain of riders.

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03. Mahabarana - Bharana was born in the village of Kappakandara, to a man named Kumara. As a young boy of ten or twelve Bharana was said to be able to chase after hares in the forest and crush them under his feet, and later aged sixteen he was said to out run and hunt antelope, elk and bore, thus being recognised great warrior.

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04. Suranimala - There was a headman named Samgha who had seven sons. Nimala was the youngest who was known for his idleness. King Kavantissa was looking out for young men to join his army. When this message came to their village, six of Nimala's brothers thought that he should join the army. But his parents thought otherwise. Their pet son Nimala was angry when his brothers made fun of him and decided to join the army. With much regret his parents gave him permission. The day he was to leave he rose early and ate rice from his mother's hand. He worshipped his parents and left for Kasatota. This was about 30 miles from his home. By sunrise he had reached his destination and presented himself before the Prince. Later he was known as Suranimala.

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05. Nandimitra - The first giant warrior was Nandhimitra, a nephew of a Sinhalese general in Elara's army. He lived in the South of Anuradhapura. He was named Mittha after his father. It is said that when his mother went to the well to fetch water she was in the habit of tying a rope or strap around his body and fastening it to a grinding stone, so that he would not stray outside. One day when the mother was away, he dragged the heavy stone after him and later broke the rope and freed himself. Thus, he became known as Nandhi- mittha.

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06. Mahasona - In the village of Hundarivapi there lived a man named Tissa, who had eight sons. The youngest was named Sona and later became known as Maha Sona. It is said that when Mahasona was seven years old, he had the strength to tear young palms with his bare hands. When he was ten, he could uproot palm trees.The King who was looking for brave young men for his army, heard of the this young boy's strength and sent his men with gifts to his parents, requesting them to send their son to the royal court. After seeing him, the King enlisted him into the service of Prince Gemunu who was building up his army.

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07. Therapuththabhaya - a Buddhist monk, disrobed and joined King Dutugemunu's army and became one of the 10 famous warrios who fought the war. Upon victory he left the King's army and re-ordained himself and as the story goes became an Arhath in the end.

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08. Pussadeva - Phussadeva was born the son of Uppala in a village named Gavita near the Cittalapabbata temple. As a young boy visiting the temple Phussadeva is said to have been able to blow conch shells so loud they sounded like thunder, thus being named Ummadaphussadeva. Subsequently Phussadeva became a renowned archer who never missed his mark.

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09. Kanjadeva - the youngest son of Abhaya of the Mahisadonika village in the Nakulanaga district. He was later dubbed Khanjadeva as he limped a little. The young man was able to chase great buffaloes, grasp them by their legs, whirl them over his head and dash them on the ground.

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10. Gotaimbara - In the village of Nitulvita there lived a man named Mahanaga who had several sons. The youngest was Gota who was short and lazy. One day his brothers left home in the morning to clear a jungle patch for cultivation. They worked throughout the day in the hot sun, leaving a small portion before they returned. They told their father that they had worked hard but left a portion to be done by their youngest brother. Gotaimbara was hurt with what his brothers said. He went to the field where there were Imbara trees. He immediately uprooted all Imbara trees and made a field without wasting anytime. Then he went home and told them that he had uprooted all the Imbara trees and prepared the field for cultivation. His brothers laughed at him and went to see what he had done. When they got there they were surprised to see the work done by Gota. They called him Gota Imbara which became Gotaimbara because he uprooted all the Imbara trees.