480 Analysis of the Mackenzie Manuscripts. [June, 



sither purely such, tasking credulity to the utmost ; or else it is a fable, 

 couching some other circumstances under the veil of symbols, but if so 

 there is no clue to the precise meaning.) 



Copy of an Inscription on the fane of Kudal Alagiya Perumal, in the 

 Dindigul district. 



Dated in S. S. 1591, Collam era 844 ; gift of land, by one named 

 Kulasegara Perumal ; with a strict injunction, that the gift be not 

 perverted to any other use, than the service of the said fane. 

 End of Book, No. 5, C. M. 759. 



General Remark. It was not my intention to take up the accounts 

 of southern poligars, or local legends, at so early a period, but this book 

 was found to be in so pitiable a plight, from the paleness of ink, and de- 

 struction effected by insects, that I gave it to a copyist, quite uncertain 

 whether he could effect its restoration. This has however been accom- 

 plished ; the sense being generally preserved ; though with occasional 

 breaks, of no great consequence. 



The accounts of the southern poligars (of which the present may be 

 accepted as a specimen, out of many more) are useful ; chiefly in giving 

 a great variety of details, as to the subversion of the old Pdndiyan dy- 

 nasty, by the power of the rayer of Vijayunagaram, and the subsequent 

 events of the northern rule at Madura, 



The local legends, herein contained, exhibit a state of society such as 

 we should not imagine, without such testimonials. The precise nation- 

 al character, at any given period, can however only be certainly known 

 by such documents. 



Manuscript JBook, N'o. 21. Countermark 775. 

 Abridged accoumt of the Vedas, $astras, Pur anas, various temples, 

 and books of general literature. 



1. The four Vedas and connected books. The Mimansa, and later 

 Vedanta books. 



2. The Upanishadas, 32 in number; summary explanations of 

 their contents, including the designation of the four leading divisions of 

 castes among the Hindus. 



3. Law treatises on the Manu-niti books of eighteen authors enu- 

 merated, some of them of great antiquity. 



4. The eighteen Puranas, the names specified ; distinguished into 

 S-aiva, and Vaishnava kinds. 



A concise indication of the general nature of their contents. 



