1838.] 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



219 



Ndrdyana, created Brahma, Fishnu, and Siva ? Suca, in reply, states 

 that Nareda asked the same question of Brahma, and adds that he will 

 repeat Brahma^ s answer. Brahma said that Ndrmjana made him — in- 

 structed him — by means of Ndrdyana he created the world — not by his 

 own power — nothing could exist without that being— the sun, and the 

 stars, are his light— he is the source of all human knowledge. Sarvam 

 Vishnu mayamjagat* or " the universe is the illusive form, or evolution, 

 of Fishnu.^' Within him all mundane eggs (or germs of worlds) are 

 placed. What other gods soever are worshipped, originally or ultimate- 

 ly, all proceed from Fishnu. Much more is added concerning the 

 mayam, and other characters of Fishnu. An explication is given, by 

 Suca to Paricshit, of certain technical terms ; probably intended to be 

 a definition of their meaning, as used in subsequent portions of the work. 



Third Cdndam, or section. 

 A salutation to Fydsa ; and then a brief reference to events narrated 

 in the Mahahhdrata. The bii-tli of gods, and of various other things, 

 from different parts of the body of Fishnu. They who read Faishnava 

 books drink amrita (nectar), and wall not taste the salt-water of other 

 books. The ubiquity of F ishnu is compared to the reflection of the 

 sun's image in many vessels holding water : it is seen in each distinct, 

 and the reflected images are numerous, but the sun itself is one body. A 

 reference to various orders, or classes, of beings, and things, as created 

 by Brahma. Account of light, its rays, and divided rays. Definition of 

 time, distinguished into time, as regards men, and time as regards the 

 pitri-devas, or diviQe ancestors. Enumeration of the yugas, or revolving 

 ages of time. Mention of worlds. The upper ones are the Bha-puvrsuvV' 

 maha-j ana-tap d-locas ; and " above these the Satya-loca shines which 

 is the {irupidam, or) dwelling place of Brahma. Brah?na's life, or age ; 

 his sleep, attended with the destruction of worlds. The inaha-ijugas, or 

 great ages. The Manuvanteras, or periods of rule of each of the Manus. 

 The Calpas, or days of Brahma, equal to one thousand great ages. De- 

 struction of the universe at the close of the Calpa by Agni-deva (that is 

 by fire). The oflfice of Fayvu (or ^^dnd) at the close of the deluge. 

 Fishnu (i. e. Ndrdyana ) holds all worlds inclosed within himself. The 

 tah64oca SLndjana-loca are described as being inhabited. All the Calpas, 

 are but a moment to Fishnu. Narrative of the birth of rishis, from the 

 members of Brahma. Panegyric of Fishnu, by Brahma. Story of 

 Casyapa^ and of Diti, one of his wives, mother of the Daityas, Refer- 



• An often quoted phrase. 



