1838.] Temple of Fundi in Arnee. 113 



The narrative implies its having been written down from the oral com- 

 munication of villagers, apparently of the Velldla, or agricultural class : 

 claiming by tradition a descent from persons who emigrated hither 

 from Sri-sdilam in the north. 



Section 9. — An account of Pundi, a Jaina fane in the Arnee 



district. 



This is a shrine of Arhat of the Jainas, of great consequence. The 

 paper commences with a poetical description of the paradise in the 

 midst of which it was built. The occasion was the following : — Two 

 Vedars, (of the tribe of wild-hunters,) one named Irumban, the other 

 Pond an, came thither, in order to dig up an edible kind of root. 

 There was an ascetic who like Valmica was doing penance in a white 

 ant-hill, when these hunters in digging struck him on the breast with 

 their implement. The hunters afraid shaded the spot with branches, 

 and daily brought to the ascetic, who was named Teku-mani-nathar, 

 offerings of honey, flour, fruits, and roots. After doing so for a long 

 time, another Muni came thither, named Samaya-nathar, on seeing 

 whom the Vedars became almost lifeless through dread ; but on his 

 manifesting tokens of favor they recovered self-possession. The Vedars 

 said to him " There is a god like to yourself in our quarter." The Muni 

 being rejoiced bid them shew him where, which they speedily did with 

 great reverence. Under his instructions the foundations of a shrine to 

 Arhat were laid with the prescribed ceremonies. The two Vedars 

 afterwards hastily ran away, taking with them their bows and arrows to 

 the Rayer to whom they reported that they brought good news which 

 would remove his troubles. On the Rayer inquiring what it was, 

 Pundan reminded him of a promise from him of giving even to the 

 extent of half his dominions, if an evil spirit which possessed his sister, 

 and which had destroyed all who attempted to exorcise it, could be cast 

 out. While the man was speaking, this spirit quitted the woman, who 

 came forth dressed, a plate of flowers in her hand, with which she set 

 out to visit the residence of the Muni whose power had cured her. 

 The Rayer and his family followed after, and on coming to the place, 

 they all paid homage to the sage. On the Rayer asking him what he 

 demanded, he required that the begun temple should be properly finish- 

 ed : which the Rayer accordingly directed to be accomplished. The 

 two Vedars had villages given them which afterwards bore their respec- 

 tive names ; and when one of the Munis died, the other continued to 

 reside in or near the shrine. 



Note. This paper from the fading of the ink, caused great trouble in 

 restoring particular passages, with a few failures in making out some 



