Yatthi in the Mahavamsa
By Narendra Nath Law
Summary
In the Mahavamsa, the term *yatthi* (Pali: 1 ઈટ) is interpreted as "necklace" rather than "stem," as seen in the Makivamsa (P. T. 5, p. 78). This interpretation aligns with the Kautiliya Arthasastra (Mysore, 2nd ed., p. 76) and Apte’s Dictionary, both of which define *yatthi* as a necklace. The analysis suggests this meaning better fits Pali passages where the term appears. The text describes three miraculous necklaces appearing at the foot of Chidta Mountain. Chapter XI, sloka 100, mentions three cane-like necklaces the size of a chariot whip. Sloka 11 describes one as a silver-colored creeper-like necklace with golden leaves. Sloka 12 refers to a flower-necklace (*Kusuma yatthi*), composed of golden flowers of various colors. Sloka 13 details a bird-necklace (*pakkari yatthi*), crafted from gold or precious metals, adorned with intricately designed birds and beasts that appear lifelike. Sloka 22 categorizes these as high-class jewels, alongside three necklaces meant for chariot decoration, likened to precious stones and wagon-poles. The verses emphasize miraculous occurrences, with explanatory notes clarifying the symbolic and material significance of the necklaces.
Conclusion
This analysis of *Yatthi* in the *Mahavamsa* clarifies the term's nuanced significance, challenging prior translations that render it as "stem." By contextualizing *Yatthi* through the *Kautilya Arthasastra* and Apte’s Dictionary, the study establishes its accurate interpretation as "necklace," offering fresh insights into three miraculous necklaces described in Chapter XI. These necklaces—silver with golden leaves, flower-adorned, and bird-shaped—symbolize divine craftsmanship and serve as powerful narrative devices within the text. The findings underscore how this reinterpretation enhances the understanding of Pali passages, emphasizing the necklaces' role in conveying miraculous events and their symbolic and aesthetic importance in the *Mahavamsa*'s cosmological and cultural framework. The study bridges textual precision with cultural context, enriching scholarly approaches to similar terminology in Pali literature.