Report on ilie Mackenzie Ma?iuscnpis. 



[April 



appeared to his votaries ; and told them not to engage in the discussion, 

 since they would not be able to compete with their opponents; but in- 

 structed them to trust the entire management of the question to Manka- 

 vasncar. In consequence Ma7iica-rasQcar, vjas put in the seat of honour, 

 and the Bauddhas directed the discussion against Mm, using the Tatva 

 system ; and were greatly surprised that they could nut overcome him 

 therein. Seeing this state of the case the Irza king told Manica-vasacar 

 that he had a daughter born dumb, and if Manica-vasacar could make 

 her speak, then he and all his people would adopt the Saiva mark, and 

 the Saira way. The dumb girl was accordingly brought forward, and 

 as Maiiica-vasacar gave, or restored, the power of speech, the king be- 

 came Si Saiva, together with his followers, and paid homage at the Chil" 

 lambram shrine. 



8. The sacred feet-obtainmg section (or the beatification). The god 

 assumed the form and appearance of a Brahman bearing writing mate- 

 rials, and an iron-pen in his hand ; in which shape he came to Manica- 

 vasacar, who enquired whence he was. The apparent Brahman said 

 he came from the Pandiya kingdom, and as the fame of Martica-vasU" 

 car's chants in the Tlru-vachacam was now every where spread abroad, 

 it was his (the Brahman^s) desire to be peimi'fed to Avrite them dovrn 

 from the composer's own dictation. Man/ca-vusacar consented, and the 

 chants were committed to writing, by the Brahniayi; who, having com- 

 pleted the whole, disappeared, together with the book. Manica-vasa- 

 car sought him every where in vain ; and now discovering that it was 

 an illusive form of the god, he wept over his departure. The book was 

 however taken by the god : and deposited on one of the five lettered 

 steps, immediately in front of the shrine. The following morning, 

 when the attendants on the fane opened the doors, they were surprised 

 at finding a book laid on one of the sacred steps, and paid it divine 

 honours. On looking it through, it was found to bear the autograph 

 signature of Tiru-ambalan, or the la^al nurnen, and it was respectfully 

 carried to Manica-vasacar with the request that he would explain its 

 meaning. To this he readily consented; and then, going with them 

 to the presence of the image in the shrine, he there unfolded the mean- 

 ing, and explained, that the said image formed its sum and substance. 

 Having completed the exposition, a flame appeared enveloping the 

 place, being the emanation, or effluence of the divine essence, and at 

 the same time the soul of Manica-vasacar, quitted his body,and became 

 united with the said divine essence ; forming the union and identifica- 

 tion with the divine nature, which is regarded as the highest degree of 

 beatification. Here the pur ana ends. 



