354 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



[APRIt 



and other relatives of Ravana did their best to effect his release % 

 but their efforts were too feeble, and Karta viriya merely sent his son 

 against them, by whom they were conquered. Vibushana, younger 

 brother of /?amna, thereupon went to Pulast^hya (the great rishi) from 

 whom their family was descended, and besought his interference, 

 Pulasfhya in consequence interceded with Karta viriya representing 

 that Rama Chandra was appointed to come and kill the said Ravana^ 

 on which representation Ravana was released. Sabsequently Karta 

 viriya contemplating the extent of his power, his numerous family 

 clients, and dependents became elated and greatly vexed the Brahmans. 



(In this place there occurs a chasm in the manuscript). 



Parasu Rama being greatly incensed comforted his mother with the 

 assurance that he would go and kill this Karta viriya who had so slain 

 his father (i. e. Jamadagni). Taking with him the bow which he had 

 received from his preceptor Suhrahmanya (which the latter had derived 

 from Indra) he proceeded to J ambuna-puri, and sent a challenge be- 

 fore him, by a messenger, announcing to the tyrant Karta viriya that 

 he was coming to do deadly battle. The monarch incensed prepared 

 to go out to war, by collecting troops and munitions ; but his younger 

 brother Sillira viriya, represented that the occasion did not call for so 

 much, and that, if permitted he would proceed to meet this enraged 

 Brahman, Sitiira viriya was accordingly sent ; but his troops were 

 destroyed, and himself slain. The king hearing of this disaster, was 

 again about to proceed when another younger brother named Sasi 

 mucha made a representation as the other brother had done, and was, 

 in like manner, sent forth with troops : in fighting with Parasu Rama 

 he also fell. The son of the monarch named Haya haya now came for- 

 ward ; and, after considerable fighting with Parasu Rama, he could 

 not conquer, but himself was killed. The monarch was distressed, 

 and wondered that a Brahman could possess so much prowess. His 

 wife's brother named Cama-crotha offered his services, and was sent 

 forth at the head of troops. He went to the contest, and after sacri- 

 ficing his troops, also perished in the combat. Karta-viriya now took 

 counsel with his ministers, who represented to him that this Brahman 

 was certainly an incarnation of the divinity, so that it must be useless 

 to attempt resistance ; that consequently the proper course would be 

 to effect a treaty of peace, when the adversary would become a pro- 

 tector. His queen named Caruniya-devi made similar representa- 

 tions, which were disregarded j as were also the cautions of his other 

 advisers. Having already lost his nearest relatives he disdained to 

 crouch, merely for his own hfe, to a Brahman : sending out missives 



