iS38.] 



Report on the Maclenzie Manuscripts, 



371 



Rulers at Conjeveram. 



Buda linga paiya—JuIu pubar Khan (i. e. Zulfecar khan)— Ali 

 Muradd Khan— Davud Khan— Sadulla Khan. 



Here the writer is more at home. A notice is given of tlie events 

 connected with the Mahomedans of Vellore and Arcot; through the 

 wars in the Carnatic, and down to the settled rule of Mahomed Ali. 

 It is brief, considering the multiplicity of the transactions; but may 

 have its merit, as a testimony written from tradition, near the time and 

 place of the events recorded, and by a native, acquainted with native 

 opinions. 



Canchi Mahatmyam. 



Another brief version of the legend noticed at the commence- 

 . ment. That is to say, Parvati shaded both eyes of Siva which 

 ' produced darkness over the world, and troubled both gods and 

 men. As a punishment for this legerete, Parvati was sen- 

 I fenced to become Cali, and then to go down to earth to do penancCj 

 ! which took place at Conjeveram. After acquiring merit by that 

 penance, in which her form included several rivers, Siva asl?:ed what 

 gift she required ; and the reply was, that he w'ould come and marry her 

 at that place. To this request he consented ; and when he came he 

 was accompanied by Brahma and Vishnu, the former of whom per- 

 formed a great sacrifice. Sarasvatt and Lacshmt were born from the 

 eyes of Parvati and the marriage between Brahma and Vishnu, and 

 their consorts w-as celebrated, at the same time, as the marriage of Siva 

 and Parvati. The place hence acquired great celebrity. The rishis, 

 who w^ere present at the ceremony, each one established an emblem of 

 Siva, bearing his own name ; and on the eight points of the compass, 

 there are eight Durgas as guardians. There is also specially a fane of 

 Bhairava, a ferocious form oi Siva. 



Remark.— Any information connected with Conjeveram acquires im« 

 portance from the celebrity of the place, and its great influence as a 

 metropolis of idolatry. The legend of Parvati shading the eyes of 

 Siva is pauranical ; but I think it deserves special notice, though per- 

 haps not in this place. If I understand the import aright it designates 

 something diifering from any eclipse ; but 1 would whh to examine 

 the subject, in connexion with other records, before offering any opi- 

 nion. The circumstances concerning the Jainas tend to elucidate some 

 parts of the Chola-patayam ; and it would seem as if Sancaracharya 

 were the Saiva teacher therein referred to. The antiquity of the 

 structures at Conjeveram cannot be great, since they are posterior to 



