4 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. [July 



mingled, after the Jaiiia fashion. It is complete : a few of the paim- 

 leaves are damaged. 



It commences with a reference to Chandra-gupta (contemporary 

 with Alexander the great) whom the Jainas (as I apprehend impro- 

 perly) class among the votaries of their system, Clim^dra-gupta had 

 sixteen different dreams ; each one indicative of evil, degradation, or 

 corrupt ascendancy. He sought the explanation from a Jaina sage, 

 who from them predicted, a decline of the power of the Cslielriyas 

 with degradation, and divisions, in the Jaina credence. Chandru-gupta 

 abdicated his throne in favour of his son Simhasena, and became an ini- 

 tiated disciple in the Jaina ascetic order. His preceptor was Bhadra- 

 hahu^ who from the crying of a child prognosticated twelve years of 

 famine ; and, in consequence, assembling his associates, and followers, 

 the whole company emigrated towards the south. In the midst of a 

 deep forest, and at a certain hill, a celestial voice directed them to 

 halt, and reside there ; whereupon they took up their abode in the 

 caves of the hill. After some time Bhadrabahu died there. Chandra- 

 gupta, now a muni, or sage, attended to his funeral rites. His successor 

 appears to have been Visatdcharya, and the site of residence became 

 the Chola country. In consequence of famine, the common people, or 

 householders invited the ascetics no longer to live in the wilds, but to 

 come among them, and reside in the fanesj when the people would 

 minister to them support. To this request the ascetics consented. 

 One of them while going out for alms, frightened a wom.an, causing a 

 miscarriage ; on which incident the people founded an entreaty to the 

 ascetics to wear white garments (Swetdmhara) by doing which an in- 

 novation was produced, and the Swetdmhara sect was formed. After 

 the famine the whole company returned towards the north, and with 

 an intervening incident by the way, in which, Chandra-gupta had a 

 share, the whole of the tribe returned to Patali-putra ( Palibolhra) in 

 the Saovir as htira country; before mentioned as the capital town of 

 Chandra-gupta. Here a discussion arose about the wearing of the 

 white garments, ending at length in the formal establishment of the 

 usage as a distinct class.* Out of them proceeded a class termed 

 Yavaniyam, who were unclothed ascetics : they taught some opposite 

 tenets, relative to prescribed fasts, and to prohibited periods of jour- 

 neying. Out of these arose a class who rejected the carrying of the 

 peacock-fan and water-cup, whence they obtained the name of Nish- 



* Among minor tenets one was. their holding the possibility of women obtaining 

 mocsham (or beatitude), whence it would appear that the other Jainas denied that possi- 

 bility. 



