1834.] Classification of the Newdrs of Nepal. 215 



sakhen-tara-mengi appointed his guru Sri-dhamma raja-guna to 

 superintend the building. He proceeded to the spot with his disciple, 

 Sri Kasyapa, but they were unable to complete it, although aided in 

 every way by the Raja. Afterwards Varadasi-naik-thera petitioned 

 the Raja to undertake it, to which he readily assented, commissioning 

 prince Pyutasing to the work, who again deputed the younger Pyusa- 

 kheng, and his minister Ratha, to cross over and repair the sacred 

 building. It was thus constructed a fourth time, and finished on Friday 

 the 10th day of Pyadola, in the Sakkaraj year 667 (a. d. 1305). On Sun- 

 day the 8th of Tachhaon-mungla, 668 (a. d. 1306), it was consecrated 

 with splendid ceremonies and offerings of food, perfumes, banners, and 

 lamps, and piija of the famous ornamented tree called calpa-vriksha : and 

 the poor (two ?) were treated with charity, as the Raja's own children ? 

 Thus was completed this meritorious act, which will produce eternal 

 reward and virtuous fruits. May the founders endure in fame, enjoy the 

 tranquillity of Nirbhan, and become Arahanta on the advent of Arya 

 Maitri (the future Buddha)." 



HI. — Classification oftheNe'wdrs, or Aborigines of Nepal Proper, preceded 



by the most authoritative Legend relative to the Origin and Early 



History of the Race. 



The S vvoyambhu Piirana relates in substance as follows : That former- 

 ly the vallev of Nepal was of circular form, and full of very deep water, 

 and that the mountains confining it were clothed with the densest for- 

 ests, living shelter to numberless birds and beasts. Countless water- 

 fowl rejoiced in the waters. The name of the lake was Naga Vasa ; it 

 was beautiful as the Lake of Indra ; south of the Hemachal, the resi- 

 dence of Karkotaka, prince of the Nagas ; seven cos long, and as many 

 broad. In the lake were many sorts of water-plants ; but not the lotos. 

 After a time, Vipasyi Buddha arrived, with very many disciples and 

 Bhikshus, from Vindumati Nagar, in Madhya Desa, at the Lake of 

 Na^-a Vasa, in the course of his customary religious peregrinations. 

 Vipasyi, having thrice circumambulated the lake, seated himself in the 

 N. W. (Vavi'ikona) side of it, and, having repeated several mantras 

 over the root of a lotos, he threw it into the water, exclaiming, " What 

 time this root shall produce a flower, then, from out of the flower, Swo- 

 yambhu, the Lord of Aknishtha Bhavana, shall be revealed in the form 

 of flame ; and then shall the lake become a cultivated and populous 

 country." Having repeated these words, Vipasyi departed. Long after 

 the date of this prophecy, it was fulfilled according to the letter. 



After Vipasyi Buddha, came Sikhi Buddha to Naga Vasa with a great 

 company of respectful followers, composedof rajas and persons of the four 



