1839.] 



Report 071 the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



319 



However apparently it belongs not properly to the Mackenzie col- 

 lection. It has nothing whatever of the outward adorning bestowed on 

 the Mackenzie palm-leaf MSS. is of the plainest possible appearance, 

 has no label or number ; and none of the usual marks of having passed 

 through the hands of Prof. Wilson ; only the name Ramdyana in Tamil 

 letters written in ink, on one of the boards. Hence I look upon it as a 

 MS. more recently introduced to the collection, by whom, or for what 

 purpose, cannot be stated. 



The following manuscripts are Tamil versions from the Mahdhharata. 



9. SabJia-parva the second book of the Bharatam^ No. 46— Coun- 

 termark 7. 



10. Another copy, No. 47 — Countermark 7. 



Both of these manuscripts contain an inferior version of the above 

 mentioned portion of the Mahahharata. It is said to have been a pro- 

 duction of one Nungai, a Brahman woman, and to be known familiarly 

 by the name of Nanga pdttu (or the chant of Nangai). The versifica- 

 tion is plain, and of common order, adapted to the comprehension, and 

 pronunciation of women, and occasionally is sung about the streets in 

 ballad style. 



The first of the two copies is in regular and good order, and complete: 

 the other copy is damaged and very imperfect, at the begining, but 

 being part of the same work the damage is of no consequence. 



What remains proceeds as far as to the sojourn of the Pdndavas in 

 the wilderness; and thenceforward is what is termed Pulantaran dutu, be- 

 ing an account of the sending of a son of Arjuna to the household of 

 Duryodhana, and his deportment there. The former part seems to be 

 only introductory to this latter portion, which latter portion is com- 

 plete. By consequence this manuscript is improperly entitled Sdbha- 

 parva ; being a work differing from the Bhdraiam. 



11. Udyoga-parva, No. 48 — Countermark 48. 



This book contains not only the whole of the above mentioned sec- 

 tion of the Tamil Bhdratam, but also a portion of the Fuddha-parva, 

 down to the seventeenth day's combat. It has the appearance of age ; 



