1838.] 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts, 



293 



6. Brahma desires to be informed as to the proper manner of per- 

 forming homage and service to VishmCs image. This is stated ; and 

 itis added that he is a C//awfl?a/a who does not worship Vishnu, being 

 a quotation of a stanza by PiUai-periimal-ayengar : whosoever speaks 

 against the Sri-ra?7gha-image is a Chandala. If there be an ignorant 

 person that knows nothing of Sri-ranglia perumal the food he eats is 

 the same as that given to a dog. Brahma took the shrine to Swerga- 

 loca {Indra's paradise) the precise day of which event is staled, with 

 astronomical accompaniments ; but in what year is not mentioned* 

 The sun was summoned ; was taught a mantra ; and directed to wor- 

 ship the image ; which Surya accordingly did. Surya^s son did the 

 same, and Icshvacu, the son of the latter, also paid homage. The latter 

 brought the image back to earth again. Many kings of the solar race 

 worshipped it in subsequent ages ; and all who did so {Isvarer in- 

 forms Nareda) were prosperous. 



7. Nareda enquires the cause why the Vimana, or shrine, came 

 down from heaven to earth ? Why did Brahma give it to Icshvacu ? 

 and for what reason was it brought, and placed in the midst of the 

 river Caveri ?— Icshvacu was a king of Ayodhya—Yie was taught by 

 Fasishla, He killed all the evil Racshasas, and while reigning equi- 

 tably, he one day thought on his father Vaivasvala, and others, having 

 gone to the other world j and there, by worshipping this image, obtain- 

 ed beatification ; but that since he himself and his children could not 

 go thither to worship, it would be expedient, by penance, to bring 

 Sri-ravgha down to earth, which thought he unfolded to Fasishta, 

 The latter was rejoiced and taught him the eight lettered charm. The 

 gods sent Manmatha to destroy the penance of Icshvacu, who wound- 

 ed the latter with one of his arrows; but /c^/imcM was firm, and pre- 

 vailed, /wc/ra came down to disturb his penance; hxxt Icshvacu, hy 

 meditating on Sri-rangha, brought down the flaming Chacra of Vishnu, 

 at the sight of which //io^m tied, and Icshvacu ascribing the praise to 

 Sri-rangha, continued his penance. Sri-rangha now tells Brahma that 

 he will go down to Ayodhija ; and stay there during ioxxv yugas and af- 

 terwards remain between both banks of the Caveri during seven man- 

 ivanteras ; and then again return to be in time for Brahma^ s mid-day 

 worship ; and subsequently go to earth and return again perpetually ; 

 but that while absent no evil shall happen to Brahma, In consequence 

 Brahma put the Vimana, on Garuda, and brought it down to earth ; 

 where he taught Icshvacu all the needful ceremonies to be observed in 

 its worship. 



