Arahant Mahinda

In the stillness of the night this Poya day,

Fullmoon shone brightlyin the milky-way,

Casting its benign look on the human race,

Heralding an era for man to be humane.

Bathed in the moon light at Mihintale,

Stood Arahant Mahinda in all his grace,

Bringing a message from

King Asoka the Great,

To King Devanampiyatiss a of Lanka’s fame.

He saw Devanampiyatissa giving chase,

With bow and arrow, taking aim.

At a deer, running, knowing its fate,

That was the picture on this eventful day.

Tissa! Tissa! called Mahinda, far away,

The King was aghast; who could call my name?

Seeing a helo on the rock at Mihintale,

He left his chase and obeisance he paid.

While preaching the Dhamma, in silence, Tissa stayed,

Gave up his chase, Dhamma he embraced,

Enthroned Buddhism as religion of the State,

To rule the country in the

Buddhist way.

Let Arahant Mahinda be remembered on this holy day,

Seek solace in the sublime

Dhamma way,

According to the preachings of

Buddha, a treasure he gave,

And attain Nibbana, the soulless state.

- G. A. D. SIRIMAL