278 



Tieport on the Mackenzie Manuscripts, [April 



A :-TAMIL. 



a. Pal ra-leaf Manuscripts. 

 I — Chola purva Paiayam, or ancient Chola record. 

 No. 165. — Countermark 64. 

 This is a large Tamil Manuscript, containing 48 palm-leaves in the 

 introductory portion, and 219 in the remainder. It is perfect as re- 

 gards the numbering of the leaves ; and is generally in good state of 

 preservation : a few of the leaves are a little damaged ; but these, 

 having been restored, the whole will last in good preservation, for 

 several years. 



Brief Abstract. 



Reference to inscriptions at Conjeveram, and to Vicramaditya, the 

 son 0^ Goviiida, simuhy Salivahana. It states t]\2it Salivahana was 

 born in the country olAyodhya, in a potter's house, under the influence 

 of Alhi seshan. He acquired great skill and prowess ; and, conquering 

 VicramoAitya, subdued also the Ayodhya* country. An era was formed 

 termed the era of Salivaliana. In his time there was great disorder. 

 Hindu fanes, rites and institutions, all were neglected. Salivahayia 

 was a Samana {pv Jaina) a worshipper of Sarvesvarer — of a venemous 

 spirit— and in these he gloried. He destroyed the fanes, and sacred 

 edifices, of the Hmdas of five classes, without favour or distinction: he 

 overthrew all privileges which Hindus derived from Vicramaditya. 

 He persecuted and oppressed all who would not enter into the Samana 

 religion, of which he was a devotee. If they entered the way of Sar- 

 vesvarer, he protected them ; but punished them if they refused. 

 Through his wickedness there was no rain— a great famine — much dis- 

 tress, and one house distant ten miles from any other house ; the coun- 

 try little better than a waste benighted wilderness. The ascetics, re- 

 tiring to wildernesses, in secret made murmuring complaints to Siva, 

 and Vishnu. Siva to avenge the desolation, solicited from the Athi' 

 Paraharam (Supreme Being) a fire rain. Athi-seshan beforehand ap- 

 prized SaHvahana of its approach, in a dream. Salivahana announced 

 to all the followers of Sarvesvarer, the coming fire-rain, and recom- 

 mended them to build stone-houses, or to remain (on the day fixed) in 

 rivers; by both of which means they would be preserved uninjured by 

 the fire-rain. They followed his advice ; some quarrying stones and 

 building houses ; others watching on the banks of the largest riversj 



* Whence it appears either that the author made a mistake or else that there was a 

 second Ayodhya. Vicramaditya ruled over Gujerat and Malwa, and derived tribute extea-. 

 sively from other couatrxeSt ^yodhyct, jnay howeyer be viewed as an epithet, 

 *' exempt from war,'* 



