1838.] 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



315 



can be read, it seems to be a fuller repetition ; the same names ap- 

 pearing to occur, with now and then a name not to be here found ; 

 but it is not possible to make any thing of it as a connected whole. 



There follows a page of illegible writing, endorsed, in English, 

 as a letter ; and another half page, of Pandiya kings, of no value. 



Section 2. Account of the most ancient sages and poets, with their 

 places and dates, in the Dravida-desam. 



This section, with so promising a title, is a mere cheat. It has a few 

 names of ascetics and poets, better known from other authorities ; 

 without the promised distinction of time and place j and, being quite 

 worthless, the copying of it was omitted. 



Section 3. A general list of books and inscriptions. 



This list refers merely to certain parts of the papers, in the Mac- 

 kenzie collection, supplied by the writer of the list; and is of no per- 

 manent consequence ; there being a fuller catalogue in existence. The 

 copying was omitted. 



Section 4. Account of Pradatta raja. 



The paper commences with a declaration ascribed to Brahma of the 

 severe pain, and penalty, incurred by any one stealing, even an 

 atom of property, from a fane of Siva ; which, inclusive of 

 minor matters, involves the being sent to Varna puram (hell), and 

 the being sunk in a stratum of fire. There are other details of the 

 evils which must follow the taking a bit of gold from the 

 temple at Arunachellam (Trinomalee) ; and of eating anything 

 belonging to it, more fatal than eating poison. In illustration 

 Brahma narrates an account of the visit of Pradatta^ king of Benares 

 and of the surrounding country, in extravagantly hyperbolical lan- 

 guage, and of his becoming enamoured of one of the Deva dasis, of 

 the fane at Jrunachellam (or Trinomalee) in consequence of which his 

 face was transformed into that of a baboon. Some of the great men 

 said it was from an evil thought ; and advised him to render special 

 adoration to the image worshipped there ; which he did and recovered 

 a beautiful form. These circumstances Brahma related to Sanaca-rishi, 



