In a certain country there was a Gamarala. The Gamarala having tried
for seven years caught a White Rat-snake. A Devatawa having come
by dream told the Gamarala that when he had eaten the Rat-snake's
head he would obtain the kingship. Having told the Gamarala's wife
to cook the White Rat-snake the Gamarala went to wash his head (to
purify himself). [39]
After that, a Tom-tom Beater (Naekatiyek), weaving a cloth, came to
the Gamarala's house [with it]. The Gama-Mahage (the Gamarala's wife)
through stinginess [unwilling] to give meat, gave the Tom-tom Beater
rice and that White Rat-snake's head, not knowing [its property].
The Gamarala having come [after] washing his head, asked the
Gama-Mahage for the White Rat-snake's head. Then the woman said,
"I gave it to eat, to the Tom-tom Beater (Berawaya) who came [after]
weaving the cloth." Thereupon the Gamarala said, "Thou gavest it to
thy man! Why? When seven years have gone by from this time he will
obtain the sovereignty."
After the seven years went by, it was commanded to give the kingship
to the Tom-tom Beater. But the people of the city said they could
not give him the kingship, because he was a Tom-tom Beater. Because,
through the act of his eating the White Rat-snake's head they were
unable to avoid giving (nodi) him the kingship, they said, "Let us give
him the sovereignty for one paeya (twenty-four minutes). A strong man
having shot an arrow aloft, let us give the kingship until it falls
to the ground." Having promised this he shot it.
For thirty years that arrow did not fall to the ground; Sakra held
it. After thirty years had gone, the arrow afterwards fell to the
ground. The kingship of that King Mota-Tissa having been changed
that day, again a Prince of the royal line, suitable for the city,
obtained the kingship.
After that, on account of the Tom-tom Beaters who were in this Lankawa
(Ceylon) claiming, "We, too, are of the royal line," the King and
the other people, also, having become angry, say, "Can anyone,
indeed, construct a Four-fold Trap?" they asked. A smith who knows
various expedients (upa-waeda), having said, "I can," constructed a
Four-fold Trap.
Inside the Four-fold Trap having placed cakes and milk-rice, the
King said, "To the Tom-tom Beaters who are in Ceylon the King will
give an eating (feast)." He sent letters to the Tom-tom Beaters to
come. They call that one with one mouth (entrance) like the Habaka
(a snare-trap) the Four-fold Trap (Hatara-maha Lula).
Well then, after all the Tom-tom Beaters came, the King says, "All
of you go at one time into that house," [40] he said. After that,
all the Tom-tom Beaters at one time entered the house. Afterwards
the King struck off (gaesuwaya) the Four-fold Trap. Well then, all
the Tom-tom Beaters died.
Because one pregnant woman, only, was at the corner (or end, asse),
the woman's neck having been caught she died. As ten months had fully
gone, the infant was brought forth outside. Thereafter, at the time
when the Gamarala, and the King of the city, and the Washerman who
washes the clothes are going near the Four-fold Trap, an infant was
crying and crying. Afterwards the Gamarala and the Washerman (Rada
miniha) having gone away carrying the infant, reared it.
After not much time, the King having died another Prince obtained
the kingship. For the purpose of making [his accession to] the
sovereignty public to the world, he told them to beat on the double
kettle-drum. Although all the people of the country beat on the double
kettle-drum the sound did not spread. The King asked, "Who must beat
it for the sound of this to spread?"
Then the people say, "Should a Tom-tom Beater beat, indeed, the sound
of this will spread."