1838.] 



tieport on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



36? 



ed, and every possible method taken, yet the chasm still swallowed up 

 the Caveri as before. The king resided 8 years in the neighbourhood, 

 the better to superintend the work. A rishi, living near, told the king 

 that his labour was in vain, seeing thatj for some cause the chacra of 

 Viahnu had entered the earth there j and by consequence the remedy 

 was, that either some enlightened king, or else some virtuous rishi (or 

 ascetic) must enter the chasm, and be seated beneath on the chacra^ 

 when the gulph would close. The king took leave, and returned to his 

 town, where he assembled his council and declared what he had learn- 

 ed. After many donations, he proceeded in state with the intention of 

 casting himself into the chasm. The minister told the rishi that if the 

 king plunged into it, the same would be dishonor ; but that if he (the 

 rishi) entered, it would be to him lasting fame. The rishi accordingly 

 entered the chasm, w^hich immediately closed. A fane was built on 

 the spot, called Tiravalanchuri (or the sacred whirl-pool, turning to 

 the right hand). The king and his suite returned to the palace, where 

 he prosperously ruled. But the Caveri now did damage by overflowing 

 its banks ; and the king went to the wilderness and did penance six 

 years on that account ; when Siva sent a shower of mud, which 

 raised the embankment and kept the river within its proper channel. 



A certain chief by the favour oiRanga svami {Vishnu) built the fane 

 oi Sri-ranga, with the spoils which he had plundered from the people^ 

 even to the extent of snatching away the tali, or sacred token of marri- 

 age. Many labourers were employed, and a great balance remained due 

 to them which the said chief had not the power to defray. He in con- 

 sequence, inveigled them all into a boat, promising to pay them in the 

 middle of a branch of the Caveri; and, when there, he upset the boat, 

 and they all perished ; but as this was a sacrifice to Ranga svami, all 

 the labourers so sacrificed obtained beatification. Hence the spot ac- 

 quired the name of Colidam (corrupted into Coleroon).* 



The king, expending a great deal of money, had the Caveri conduct- 

 ed to the westward of Corabaconum, and opened channels for irriga^ 

 tion to a great extent around, effecting a communication between the 

 Caveri and Coleroon rivers. Of the additional produce so obtained, he 

 took one-sixth, and gave the rest to the people. At Combaconum he 

 built many fanes, and prosperously ruled. His reign lasted 70 years. 

 He had no son ; but his wife was three months pregnant. The Pan- 

 dii/an took advantage of this time to attack the kingdom ; and the 

 aforesaid Chola king being worsted, took refuge with Cumbhesvarer^ 



« This is a current tradition as to the origin of the name Of the Coleroon, the mean* 

 i.Qg of CoZ-Ktot is the place of slaughter*'"* 



