ms.] 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



65 



Section 8. Account of a fane of Suhrahmanija in the same district. 



Legend of a fane built by the same chief, in consequence of a 

 dream : the river, close by, is fabled to have issued out of the Camau' 

 data, or ordinary drinking- vessel, made use of by the m/u* Agastya, 



[Immediately after a leaf seems to have been cut out]. 



Section 9. Legendary account of Mdvalipuram in the Arcot dis- 

 trict. 



In early times one named Mallesuda ruled here prosperously ; but 

 from refusing to feed a Brahman, and mocking him, he was, by the said 

 Brahman, caused to be metamorphosed into an alligator. A rishiy 

 named Pandarica, going to pluck a lotos flower from the tank wherein 

 the alligator was, it laid hold of him, and the rishi drew the alligator, 

 on the bank. The king thus obtained release, and went to Swerga : the 

 rishi thought to present the flower to Viahnu ; but the sea refusing to 

 give him way, he occupied himself inhaling out the sea; and, while 

 so occupied, Vishnu, in the shape of an aged Brahman, approached, 

 and asked for boiled rice. After some explanation he engaged to do 

 the rishi' s work, while the latter should go to prepare rice. By taking 

 up a single handful of water, the sea retreated an Indian mile (1| Eng- 

 lish) ; and when the rishi returned he found the Brahman reposing, 

 in the manner in which statues of Fishnu are sometimes represented. 

 He now recognized the god; and a fane was built by him over the 

 spot. This was kept in order, by many later persons. Before the 

 said incarnation of Vishnu, the place was called Mallapuri and Malta" 

 puri-cshetram, from the before-mentioned Mallesuda, In subsequent 

 times the name was altered to Mahavalipuram. Those ignorant of the 

 SChala puranam hence inferred that Maha Bali Chacraverti ruled here, 

 and hence called the place Mahabalipuram, and some term it Mavali- 

 puram. Both of these names are erroneous ; and are known to be so 

 from the local puranam. This is included in the Brahmanda-purana, 

 from the 93d adhyaya to the lOOth inclusive. The names of the sub- 

 sequent rulers are unknown to any one. 



But, in the Cali-yuga, Singhama Nayadu, the zemindar of the Velln- 

 gotivaru race, seems to have ruled here. In that time, during a famine, 

 many artificers resorted hither, and wrought on the mountain a variety 

 of works, during two or three years. Ignorant people term these 



