Kuveni

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Kuveni was the queen of Yakkhas of ancient Lanka. According to the Mahavamsa, she became the consort of Prince Vijaya, had two children - a son named Jivahata and the daughter named Disala. It is a well-known story that King Vijaya betrayed Kuveni's oath by giving her up and taking a princess from Madura as his queen consort. When Vijaya announced his intention to Kuveni about his prospective marriage to the Madura princess of Pandya, Kuveni pleaded with Vijaya thus; 'Oh, I helped you to rout the Yakkhas, and helped you to be king of this Isle. And pledging your truth. Oh king you made me your spouse. Didn't you then know that I was of the Yakka race Loving you with unquenchable love, and living in such love, I bore you two children, husband of mine you can't leave me and love another. The gentle rays of the full-orbed moon seem now to be the blaze of a red-hot iron ball. Alas ! How can I soothe my heart?'.

Vijaya ignored her plead and decided to marry the Pandyan princess of his own choice. Upon his betrayal, Kuveni scorned him with words of wrath and curse on Vijaya. Besides a Princess for himself, Vijaya got down another 700 maidens as spouses for his followers. They were all happy to own wives from their own country who enjoyed similar customs and habits as Vijaya and his men.