ms.-] 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts, 



349 



expression of uncertainty. In reply to another enquiry as to the 

 cause of the aforesaid king's rejection of the Brahmans, an answer 

 is given, deducing it from their unwillingness to give up ancient rights, 

 by concessions to the raja of Calicut. The ascendancy of the Baud' 

 dhas is noted ; concerning whom a council of Brahmans was held, 

 ^nd a Jangama-rishVs advice was followed. By doing homage to 

 V araha-svami according to the Jangama rites, they succeeded in get- 

 ting rid of their rivals and adversaries. Chola-perumal, is mentioned 

 as participating in the affair ; and he was killed in consequence by a 

 Brahman, named Kokatta Karanava-pada, who for some short time 

 afterwards took on him the management of the government ; possess- 

 ing an ascendancy over all other rulers of Malayalam. An enquiry asE 

 to the kings appointed by Cheruman Perumal is not clearly answered ; 

 the writer not professing to have an accurate knowledge of the sub- 

 ject. Some account is given in answer to a question, as to a village 

 feud, between the people of Punnii/ur ^ind Chovur . An enquiry as 

 to the time of arrival of a Namhuri Brahman, referred to in the 

 account of that feud, and as to the time of the Ganga coming to 

 Malayalam, is not answered with certainty ; but it appears, that, when 

 the sacred water came, a dispute arose between the Calicut raja, and 

 the Vettdlta-raja as to which should first bathe in it ; and this dispute 

 led to fighting, in which several of their people on both sides fell. 

 Enquiry as to the legend of the fane at Punniyur. The answer refers 

 to Parasu Rama, and his calling the Brahmans from Hai-cshetriyam, 

 to come to Malayalam, which they refused to do, unless in that coun- 

 try as well as in the one where they resided, there should be a varaha- 

 svdmi, and a sacred Ganga. In consequence Parasu Rama performed 

 penance, and eflfected substitutes for both things desired; whereupon 

 the Brahmans came, settling at Chdvur and Punniyur, between w^hom 

 afterwards disputes, and fighting, arose. In later days the Faishnava 

 Brahmans resided at Punniyur, and the Saiva Brahmans at Chovur ; 

 being at enmity with each other. An enquiry as to the origin of the 

 celebration of the coming of the Ganges, once in twelve years, into the 

 tank at Punniyur, is not met by a direct answer, but reference is made 

 to the rejection of an outcast man, who had presumed to approach at 

 the time of the Ganges water coming to the fane. In reply to another 

 question some discrimination is made between two subdivisions, or 

 classes, of Brahmans at Punniyur. They do not know the cause why 

 a particular Tambiran, or ascetic, acquired celebrity. 



The signatures of six Namhuri Brahmans are affixed to the docu- 

 ment, in attestation of its veracity. 



