218 Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. [Oct. 



banished Cali-purusha ; but the son refused to recal what he had said, 

 and confirmed it. The ascetic did what he could, by sending a message 

 to the king, bidding him take all precautions to avert the tlu-eatened 

 danger. Nevertheless the mind of the king became saddened, witli one 

 continued and oppressive thought, that he must soon inevitably die. 

 He made over the kingdom to his son Janamejaya. 



The rishis came to console him. Suca also came. The king 

 told^MC« that he himself must die by the bite of a snake, within seven 

 days ; and enquired how, within that short space of time, he might merit 

 beatitude. Saca directed him to beg of the aforesaid ascetic to stay in 

 one place for seven days, which was not the ascetic's custom. Paricahit 

 having retreated to a temporary abode, constructed in the centre of a 

 large reservoir of water, was there attended by ASwca, who narrated to him 

 what follows; being properly speaking the Bhagavatam. 



Second Cdndam, or section. 



Suca commences with the story of a king who fought against rdcshasas, 

 and conquered them ; in consequence of doing which he obtained the 

 promise of a celestial gift. The said king replied, that the only gift he 

 required was to imow when he must die. "Within two days" was the 

 answer. The said king mimediately renounced every thing earthly ; and, 

 occupying himself in nieditation on rishnu, obtained beatification. Saca 

 assured Fancahit that, m like manner, he would obtain the same ; pro- 

 lided he kept his mind single, or undistracted, by inferior things, for 

 seven days. Paricshit was consoled by this assurance; and attended to 

 the recitai of the Bhagavatam. 



Then follows a mystical description of Vishnu : the parts of his body 

 representing different portions of the universe ; amounting, on the whole, 

 to something very like the a?iimi mundi system. Much praise is givea 

 to Sanniyusis, or recusants from the world. A life of retreat in wastes, 

 wildernesses, and mountains, is lauded, as preferable to earthly desires, 

 or secular possessions. Abstract devotion is the means of acquiring 

 future bliss. Homage is of many kinds. If Yogam (abstraction in pen- 

 ance) be performed, it will procure the paradise of BroJima. If the medi- 

 tation be fixed on Vishnu, it will merit the paradise of Vishnu. Out- 

 ward rites are inferior. A ydgam (or sacrifice) may be performed for the 

 sake of health, and str^aigth. If a child is desired, the nine Brahmddicas 

 are to be honoured. For wealth, homage is to be paid to Durga. For a 

 handsome form, Agai-deva must have homage. For health, let the sun 

 be adored. There are further directions of this kind. There follows 

 much enlargement on the praise of Vishnu, Paricshit asks why VishiUtd^^ 



