44 



Iieport on the Mackenzie Manuscrrpts, 



7nans ; the raja acknowledged his fauU, and promised to repair if. Asa 

 commencen^.ent a great number of Bralimatis were fed in the dry bed oT 

 the tank, and before they had finished eating, the water rushed in with 

 such rapidity, that they were obliged to make their escape without hav- 

 ing time to take away the leaves on which their food had been eaten. 

 An era was begun to commemorate this event, being the Collam era. 

 Matters relating to the cultivation of cocoanut trees, betel-vines, 8zc. — 

 Customs in dealings— buying, selling, &c. — rules to regulate hunting. 

 Origin of iheNayars: also of a kind of divinity derived from the fable in 

 the Mahahharata of Siva's appearing to Arjuna during his penance near 

 the ^?77?Q/aj/a mountains. The origin of the Ayinar born ixom Siva 

 and Mohini. The names of various local niiniina in the Malayala coun- 

 try are given. Names of various fanes in that country. Besides which 

 the thirty-three crores of inferior gods, and the sixty-six thousand 

 asuras, are all said to have been in Malaijalam ; together with the su- 

 perior gods, protecting the country. 



Afterwards the names of the Calicut rajas, and other inferior chiefs 

 are given. The story of a Jonaca (Mahomedan) who came to this 

 country ; the cause of which is narrated — the foreigner extended the 

 dominion of the Calicut raja. Magnificent things are stated as to the 

 conquests of the Calicut raja, originating in his devotedness to Sri-Bha- 

 gavati, and her gifts to him. Notwithstanding the foreign Europeans 

 came and took possession of Calicut ; whom, however, in the end, the 

 raja defeated. The Curumbars, of the hilly district, greatly hel| ed, 

 and had districts given in consequence. Disputes between this 

 Curumha chief, and the Cochin roja. Details of the number 

 of Nayars belonging to difi"erent parts of the country. Reference 

 to the regulations made by Parasu-rama, and confirmed by Sancar- 

 acharya, as to the distance which must be observed by different castes 

 in their approach one towards another, the distance in feet being mi- 

 nutely stated. Brahmans, and cows, are of good birth ; other classes of 

 men, and other animals not so. With these regulations as to personal 

 distinctions, and caste observances, the account concludes. 



Remark.— writing of this document was in one place very much 

 faded. As it is one of the best of the few Maylaydlam MSS. it has been 

 restored ; and its entire translation is recommended, notwithstanding 

 that it contains some things puerile, and some absurd. Still there are 

 real historical details ; and these can always be best selected, after that 

 the w^hole evidence of any document, whether important or trifling 

 has been fully and fairly brought into view. 



