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Mānābharaṇa

1. Mānābharaṇa, Mānabhūsana.– Nephew of Vijayabāhu I. His father was king of Paṇḍū and his mother, Mittā, was Vijayabāhu’s sister. He had two brothers, Kittisirimegha and Sirivallabha. He married Ratanāvalī, daughter of Vijayabāhu (Cv.lix.42 ff). When Vijayabāhu died, Jayabāhu I became king and Mānābharaṇa was made viceroy. When the rightful heir, Vikkamabāhu, rose in revolt, Mānābharaṇa seized from him Rohaṇa and Dakkhiṇadesa and lived in Puṅkhagāma, under the name of Virabāhu (Cv.lxi.21 ff). He seems to have lived in constant conflict with Vikkamabāhu. Later, when he had already two daughters, Mittā and Pabhāvatī, he gave over the government to his ministers and retired from the world. However, seven or eight months later he had a dream in the temple of Indra and hurried back to Puṅkhagāma because the dream presaged the birth of a mighty son. This son was Parakkamabāhu I. Cv.lxii.3 ff.

2. Mānābharaṇa.– Son of Sirivallabha and Sugalā. Līlāvatī was his sister (Cv.lxii.2). He married Mittā, daughter of Mānābharaṇa I, and also her sister, Pabhāvatī, and by the latter he had a son, Kittisirimegha (Cv.lxiv. 19, 23, 24). Mānābharaṇa reigned in Rohaṇa as an independent king (Cv.lxvii.95). When the throne was captured by Gajabāhu, Mānābharaṇa tried several times to wrest it from him, but, failing in these attempts, made an alliance with Gajabāhu through the intervention of the monks; later, however, finding Parakkamabāhu growing in power, he went over to him (Cv.lxx.179 ff). When Gajabāhu was captured and detained at Pulatthinagara, the soldiers started to pillage the city, despite the orders of Parakkamabāhu. The people were enraged and invited Mānābharaṇa to come. On his arrival at Pulatthipura, he captured Gajabāhu and threw him into a dungeon, seized all the treasures, including the Tooth Relic and almsbowl, and took counsel with his mother to kill Gajabāhu. On hearing of this, Parakkamabāhu sent his forces against Mānābharaṇa and defeated the latter’s followers at various places. Mānābharaṇa then fled to Rohaṇa, taking with him some of the treasures (Cv.lxx.255 ff). From there he again tried to ally himself with Gajabāhu; but the latter did not so desire, though his ministers were in favour of it. Relying on their support, Mānābharana advanced from Rohaṇa. He was, however, severely defeated at Pūnagāma and other places and Parakkamabāhu’s forces assailed him from all sides. The campaign brought varying success to the opposing armies, and Mānābharaṇa proved a skilful warrior. He was helped by various chieftains and fought bitterly and valiantly to the end (for details see Cv.lxxii.148‑309), but, as he lay dying, he summoned his children and ministers and counseled them to join Parakkamabāhu. Even after his death his queen Sugalā encouraged intrigues against Parakkamabāhu. Cv.lxxiv.29 ff.

3. Mānābharaṇa.– A general of Māgha, for whose coronation he was responsible. Cv.lxxx.73.

4. Mānābharaṇa.– A Damiḷa chief, ally of Kulasekhara. Cv.lxxvi.146.