Saddharma Ratnavali has added "Granthaya to Sinhala Literature" by translating the Pali Dhamma Padatta story written by the Buddha Ghosh who was associated with the Anuradhapura Maha Vihara into Sinhala. The Dhamma Pada story has been written in association with the Pali Dharma Pattaya. The Pali Dhammapada is one of the fifteen books of the Buddhist sect in the Tripitaka literature.
It is believed that the Pali Dhammapadatta story was written between the fourth and fifth centuries AD. Scholars such as Rhys Davids and Wintonis, who researched Buddhist literature, think that the book was written during the above period.
The story of Dhammapada is considered to be a high scripture used by Sinhala Buddhists. Therefore, King Kasyapa V wrote a treatise on this book. It has been added to the Sinhala literary family under the name of Dampiya Atuwa Gatapadaya. It can be concluded that this book was written by King Abasalamevan Kasupra explaining the distant words of the Dhammapada story in Sinhala due to the widespread use of the Dhammapada story among the people.
Dharmasena Yativaraya wrote a book called 'Saddharma Ratnavali' in association with the Pali Dhamma Padatta Katha to make it more accessible and easy to understand among the people the Dhamma Padatta Katha is widely used among Sinhala Buddhists.
Dharmasena Thero can be considered as a person who lived during the Dambadeniya Kingdom period in the thirteenth century. That was during the time of King Parakramabahu II. This rapper was also composed. Due to this the literary service of Ven. Dharmasena Thera also received the generous support of this King.
The Dambadeniya period was important in Sinhala literature. Saddharmaratnavali is one of the most influential books in Sinhala literature of this period. This book did a great service in the nourishment of Sinhala literature. At the end of the book, it is stated that the author of the book is Ven. Dharmasena himself
This is clear from the Pali verse.
Saddhammattithi Mitchantho
Dharmasena Yatissaro Akasi Pavaran Ethara
From the Saddhammaratana
It is clear from the book Saddharma Ratnavali that Dharmasena Yatishwara was an author who was very good at simply explaining deep Dhamma matters. His classical writings are also clear from the book Saddharma Ratnavali.
There is no clear record of the village in which Saddharmaratnavali was born and the temple in which he lived. However, he can be described as a scholar who lived in the company of the common people. The thoughts and aspirations of the villagers were manifested in him. It is clear from the Dharma that he knew very well from the Ratnavali what the tastes of the rural people were.
Although Saddharmaratnavaliya was instrumental in compiling the Pali Dhammapada story, it was not a translation. This book, written by Ven.
He was a great scholar. During this period, the King received his full patronage in the nourishment of Sinhala literature. This king also wrote high-quality books such as Visuddhi Marga Sannaya, Wana Vinisa Sannaya, and Kaw Silumina.