1838.3 



Rtport on the Mackenzie Manuscripts, 



357 



out-casts) found their worship of various local numina being none other 

 than ideal forms of the wife ^of Jamadagni, considered to be divine as 

 having given birth to an alleged incarnation of the divinity. 



1 have no doubt that all the alleged amit«r«s of Fishnu shadow forth, 

 each one, some great historical event, not always possible to be rescued 

 from the obscurity of fable. The preceding ones seem to have had 

 their site out of India ; but from Parasu Rama downwards, all clearly 

 appear to have occurred within the boundaries of this country. Hence 

 I think the incarnation of Parasu Rama points to the first acquisition 

 of power by the Bralimans, after their coming to India, from the north- 

 ward of Himalaya, There is however much more connected with the 

 distruction of the CshetriyaSf or aboriginal rulers of the land, than can 

 with propriety, be founded on so comparatively slight an authority as 

 this poem. The whole however will probably come under view ; and 

 It may be safer to advance step by step, than to hazard conclusions, 

 without carrying full conviction to the mind of the reader. 



It is superfluous for me to notice the oversight in this poem, by its 

 author, as to dignity and consistency of subject. A weapon reproaches 

 its wielder— is sent down to the earth for penance, and followed by the 

 offended deity to overcome it there i and the deity, without fore- 

 knowledge, is in some doubt as to the prudence of attacking its 

 own instrument, under so formidable an appearance, until set 

 right by that very questionable character, and meddler in all mis- 

 chief, termed Nareda : to which may be added the existence of a 

 duplicate amtaraf and the elden portion not recognizing the j^ounger 

 one. These noddings of intellect are however so common in Hindu 

 mythology, that they must not be thought strange. It is the insepar- 

 able concomitant of falsehood that it carries, within itself, the evi- 

 dence of its own character. 



In the minor matter, which regards the condition of this manuscript, 

 il is sufficient to observe that it is old, and worn away at the edges. 

 If complete it might be restored ; but, until it can be completed from 

 some other copy, it may lie over for the present. The abstract given 

 will suffice for every valuable object of these investigations. It is 

 briefly mentioned in Des. Catalogue, Vol. 1, p. 333, and therein termed 

 *' a prose narrative." 



3, Tanjavur Charitra, or account of Tanjore. — No. 122, Counter- 

 mark 325. 



The book commences with the mention of the appeal of Chandra 



