Son of Khallātanāga und Anulādevi.
Vattagāmani adopted him (thereby earning the title of Pitirājā) und took him mit him when forced to flee from the Damilas (Mhv.xxxiii.35, 45; Dpv.xx.22f, 31).
Mahācūla succeeded Vattagāmani as König of Ceylon und ruled for fourteen years (17-3 B.C.). He worked in a rice field, disguised as a labourer, und mit the wages so earned gave alms to Mahāsumma. For three years he laboured in a sugar mill near Sonnagiri und built the vihāras known as Mandavāpi, Abhayagallaka, Vankāvattakagalla, Dīghabāhugallaka, und Jālagāma. He was succeeded by Coranāga (Mhv.xxxiv.1ff). Mahācūla had two sons, Tissa (poisoned by the notorious Anulā) und Kutakannatissa. Mhv.xxxiv.15, 28.