82 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



[July 



ing, savour of a very early stage of society, occasionally assimilating, 

 in manner, to some of the tales of the Mahabharata ; and differing from 

 any thing pertaining to the more modern localities of the Peninsula. 



The book was copied by Narrayana-Rao, one of Colonel Mackenzie's 

 servants, from another one in possession of Nana-Sancara at Poonah, 

 and the copy so made is dated August 23, 1806. At some subsequent 

 period, the white ants seem to have/ed on it with little mercy. 



Manuscript book, No. 20.— Countermark 932. 



Section 4. Account of the rajas of Gujerat ; with some details of its 

 towns, and their dependencies. 



In the three first ages the province of Gujerat was merely the resi- 

 dence of ascetics, or a wilderness. About the year 515 of the Cali-yuga 

 one named Deva-rishi came from Uttaravanam, where he had dwelt a 

 longtime; and he regarded this country as one well adapted for his 

 residence. After completing his term of penance, he placed on the 

 spot, where he had dwelt, an image called Somesvara ; he also con- 

 structed five or six villages of straw-huts, and went away. Subsequent- 

 ly a gymnosophist, named Bhairava-nat'ha, came and resided there ; 

 and after a time also went away. The place was called DevatayoAi. 

 At a subsequent period one named Gamhira-sena was desiro'is of being 

 chosen king of Jaipur, but being disappointed by the people chusing 

 Sura-sena one of his relatives, he retired under great vexation, and 

 taking a few followers with him, went to Gujerat in the year 670, and 

 resided at the aforesaid Deva-tayaii. A son was born to him there, in 

 the year 720. His son Vira-sena, as soon as he became 12 years of 

 jige, began to collect troops, and to carry on incursions all around. 

 His proceedings came to the ears of the ruler at Hastinapuri, who 

 sent troops against him; which plundered the country. One of the 

 neighbouring chiefs, named Gajia-mani, being about to sack his town, 

 the wife of Vira-Sena, then near the time of parturition, escaped to a 

 distance; and in a wilderness, near the town of Ranuca-pur, was deli- 

 vered of a son. A learned poet, of the Jaina class, having occasion to 

 pass through that wilderness, heard the cries of the mother and childj 

 and, after fully learning the nature of the case, took both to Ranuca- 

 pur. This town was inhabited by Jainas, who commiserating the si- 

 uation of mother and child, gave them support an d protection for five 



