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Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



[Oct. 



ence to Hiramjacsha and his son Pracaldtanan ( Prahldda). Two 

 Brahmans went to the gates of Vishnu^ s paradise, and were resisted by 

 two porters. The Brahmans in consequence denounced, on these two 

 porters, the doom of becoming racshasas. Vishnu came forth, and ap- 

 peased the Brahmans ; saying he would take dust from their feet and 

 put it on his head ; adding tliat he possessed Faiconfha because of the 

 homage paid by the Brahmans, These two Brahmans were appeased; 

 and being dismissed, Vishnu then told the two door-keepers, that since 

 he could not avert the doom denounced by the Brahmans, they, the said 

 warders, must go to earth, and be born of Dili, as racshasas ; and become 

 Yli^ {Vishnu^ s) enemies. According to this appointment one of the porters 

 was born as Hira^iyacsha, and the other as Hiranya-casipu. The latter 

 performed severe penance, and thereby acquired great power. He went 

 to Sverga, and alarmed the inhabitants of Indra's world (symbol for 

 great prosperity). He fought with, and conquered the elements. Among 

 them Varima (water personified) treated with him concerning peace, and 

 said if Hiranya-casipu delighted in war he might go to Faiconfha, and 

 fight with Narayana. The former accordingly went thither; and at 

 the entry was met by Nareda, who told him, that Narayana was not 

 now at home, but was gone down to Patala-loca to bear the burden of the 

 earth. The Daitya went down thither, saw Vishnu, with whom he 

 fought, and was killed. 



Transition to another narrative, by Maitraya maha muni, to Viruda, of 

 various beings changed in form by Brahma. Subsequently Vishnu is in- 

 troduced speaking to Karta-Brahma (or the creator Brahma) telling 

 him, that his wife, the daughter of Vaivasvata menu, should bear nine 

 female children, which were to be given, to the mneBrahmddicas. Brah. 

 in a came, and saw the marriage celebrated. Afterwards Capita (in 

 whose person Vishnu had antecedently promised to become incarnate) 

 was born ; and, according to promise, Vishnu, in this his inferior incarna- 

 tion as Capila, instructed his earthly father and mother in wisdom. Some 

 specimen of his instructions is given. Capila narrates the greatness of 

 Vishnu ; and, ascribing all honour to him, states that his form is tobe wor-^ 

 shipped. He gives explanations concerning the three dispositions 

 tdmasa, rdjasa, sutwica. To the tamasa, quality is ascribed violence, 

 arrogance, obstinacy, ostentation, avarice, hatred; to the rajasa 

 quality, covetous desire of acquisition ; to the satwica, quality, know- 

 ledge of the ninety-six tatvas, or qualities of the body ; self know- 

 ledge, knowledge of Vishnu, meekness, and meekly reflecting on Vishnw 

 The last quality is the best of the three. To these three qualities, dif- 

 ferent future states of being are apportioned ; to the tdmasa, the sdlocya 



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