1839] 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts, 



29 



Brahmans to accompany him ; and, with them, proceeded to the pre- 

 sence of the monarch, claiming a performance of the promise; which 

 the kirigwas disposed to refuse; but on the Brahman \)Ymgm^ the 

 svami {Siva) and Devi (Parvati) as witnesses, the king joyfully fulfilled 

 his engagement, by giving a large town, in free tenure, to the Brahman 

 and his associates. As the Brahman considered the favour of Devi to be the 

 cause of this splendid acquisition, he built a fane, with the usual accom- 

 paniments to her honour, and, for her worship. While the Fed as, and other 

 books, were being read in that agraharam,?LS usual, a young Brahmachari 

 went from it, and asked from " the Rayalu'^ a marriage-present. The 

 king told those around him to examine, and report, on the circumstance; 

 and these, stating that the residents in that agraharam were all stupid 

 people, recommended a public examination of the young man's learning. 

 In consequence he performed penance to Devi, who satisfied therewith, 

 directed him to go to the examination without fear. He did so ; and 

 having passed it, received from the monarch the present which he had 

 sought. 



(Here the book ends: apparently without a proper close. It is in 

 tolerable good order; and does not call for immediate restoration). 



Remark. By means of this book I havebeen enabled to understand the 

 pauranical fable of Jgastija having " humbled the pride of the Vindhya 

 mountain." It is nothing more, nor less, than a symbolical statement of 

 the first immigration of the Dravida Brahmans into the Peninsula, from 

 the north ; where they had earlier obtained a footing. Once understood 

 the symbol is easy and natural. It is a subject of frequent allusion, in 

 various Hindu compositions. Originally the Brahmans were most cer- 

 tainly foreigners to the Peninsula. To know that, is one important step 

 in tracing their remoter origin. 



The cutting out of three leaves, containing an account of "the ob- 

 scure Nandi-varam dynasty" is a fault attaching somewhere; and it 

 greatly deducts from the value of this manuscript. 



Manuscript book. No. 20. — Countermark 932. 



Section I. Account (or local legend) of the fane of Sri-ketha tanda at 

 Pandarpur. 



Reference to the fault committed by Chandra (according to the Pura-- 

 nas) i in consequence of which his preceptor denounced on him a pu- 

 nishment of loss ; and upon Cha?idra, enquiring when the fault would be 



