2 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



[July 



A :— TAMIL. 



a. Palm-leaf Manuscripts. 



1. Sacara Cadha and Kerala desa /(aifeyat, or the story of Sacara 

 and ficcount of the Kerala country. 



This manuscript begins with a reference to the legend of Sacara 

 (more fully narrated in the Mahabharatd). A general allusion is 

 herein niade for the purpose of noting the effects of the inundation pro- 

 duced by the Ganges, in which Sacara had only a remote instrumenta- 

 lity. In consequence of the great overflow of waters, the country 

 south of Gokernam v/as submerged, and the Brahmans took refuge on 

 the hill, or mountain, named Mahendira. There they besought Pa- 

 rasu Rama, by the power of his virtue, to effect a restoration of the 

 submerged land from the sea. Farasu Rama obtained a grant in conse- 

 quence of his desire ; and, standing at Gokernam, threw his celebrated 

 axe as far southward as he could, and from that extent the sea retreat- 

 ed. The Brahmans were located therein, and received a promise from 

 Farasu Rama of his appearing whenever they should think on him for 

 the purpose of recalling him. He specially charged them to owe no 

 fealty, and to pay no tax, to any king. However, the Brahmans diso- 

 beyed him ; and, among other things, by calling in a king from the Pan- 

 diya country. Parasu Rama retreated to Mahendira ; and was not 

 agriin seen by them. The narrative afterwards notices the rule of 

 Cheruman Perumal. He in vain endeavoured to take one of the for- 

 tresses belonging to the Payer's country ; and was mortified at his dis- 

 appointment. Parasu Rama was invoked, and cj^me to Cheruman Peru- 

 mat, and embassies were sent to Cdsi ; but the whole did not effect any 

 special result ; and Perumal, finding his government weak, divided the 

 country among eighteen chiefs, and retired. The power thencefor- 

 ward came chiefly into the hands of the Calicut raja ; but not without 

 strifes and wars with his neighbours around. The latter part of the 

 document is chiefly occupied with the account of an international 

 strife ; and it closes with a singular caution, to the learned, not to 

 make known its contents to the vulgar. 



Remark.— The manuscript is written on eleven rather large palm= 

 leaves, of moderately recent appearance, nevertheless insects have be- 

 gun the work of destruction ; and, here and there, a word is eaten away. 

 It must be noted for restoration so soon as more urgent matter, in this 

 way, is disposed of. As to the contents, they have in the early portion 

 much resemblance to the Kerala Ulpatli ; nevertheless the two state- 



