292 



Report on the MaeJienzie Manuscripts. [April 



The following is an Abstract of the Legendary Contents. 



1. Nareda addresses Isvarer, and stating that the latter has told 

 him all the wonders of the three worlds (upper^ middle, and lower) 

 desires to know the renown of the Caveri-rivei\ and how Sri-vangha be- 

 came a Ftt^> Aw«t?«.fane. Extravagant praise as to the omnipotent vir- 

 tues of doing any act of homage at Sri-rangham, is stated in reply^ by 

 Jsvarer, forming the first adhyaijUy or division, of the work. 



2. Nareda, expressing his satisfaction at what he had heard, en- 

 quires as to the placing there of the Vimana (or shrine) to which Siva 

 replies, forming the second «c?%a^a. In the time of the deluge Nar- 

 rayana was sleeping a long time on the serpent Athi-seshan (singularly 

 enough, from a later fable, said to be at the same time in the bowels of 

 Agastya) Brahma was born— the Pranava formed (or mystic O'm)^ 

 origin of the Rig-veda the soma-yagam—and the eighteen puranas — 

 other similar matters of a mythological description, relating to times 

 immediately succeeding the deluge. 



3. Brahma began the work of creating anew. Brahma studied as- 

 trology to acquire foreknowledge. He also performed penance. The 

 Cdrmuvatara of Vishnu. Brahma said that Vishnu had assumed many 

 deceptive forms, but he wished to see him (P'is^wM) in his own form. 

 In consequence a Vimana or shrine, was produced ; described in highly 

 hyperbolical language. Brahma worshipped the image therein of Vish- 

 nu in a reclining posture — extravagantly described. Forming the third 

 adhyaija, 



4. Brahma made one-hundred thousand prostrations to Vishnu ; and 

 declared that he ought to be so honoured for crores of years without 

 end. Brahmxt terms him JaganaCha (lord of the universe) and, 

 " father." A long string of similar praise, indicating this image of 

 Vishnw to be all things, and all things in it. Vishnu declared his satis- 

 faction with the eulogium pronounced by Brahma^ and enquires what 

 gift he requires. 



.5 Brahma requests that Vishnu, under that form, will always be in 

 that image ; and that he {Brahma) may always have the privilege 

 of worshipping it. VishnuitWs Brahma that if he so worship him 

 during one-hundred years he will attain beatitude ; and if others so 

 worship him they will attain beatitude. Some little explanation is 

 given of what is meant by beatitude. 



