224 Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripfs, [OcT. 



which the latter accepted. Vishnu came on his vehicle, and asserted the 

 ■unity, and-wantof any division, or difference, between the TrimurP. They 

 says the narrative, who read this account, will receive all prosperity. 



Maitraya continues still addressing Vidura and enters on the history, 

 and apotheosis, of Druhim. His father was f/^ifam-pam^a, who had two 

 wives named Siiniti axidSurutt. DrvJiva was the son of the first, and 

 V Llama was the son of the second wife. This latter wife was the favourite 

 of the two; and the father used to take her son on his knee, Drahva. 

 son of the elder wife, one day came in, and the father took no notice of 

 him. Suxuti told Druhva that had he been her son, he would be loved ; 

 but, as the case was, he might go where he pleased. The boy^ being 

 five years old, complained to his mother, who told him he must do pen- 

 ance to Vishnu. As he was proceeding to do this penance, Nareda met 

 him, and said he was too young to do penance. Nareda taught him a 

 mantra, as a shorter w^ay, to qualify him so as to obtain the desired boon. 

 After making use of this chann, for some time, Vishnu came to know 

 what he wished to have ; announcing to him that he would have his fa- 

 ther's kingdom for twenty-six thousand years, and afterwards be taken 

 to the Druhva-mandalam (north pole of the celestial sphere). Accord- 

 ingly, in due com'se of time, he came to the possession of his father's king- 

 dom, ruled 26,000 years, was married, and had two sons. At the expira- 

 tion of that period a Vimdnam (celestial car), vrith two of Vishnu's mes» 

 sengers, appeared ; and, his mortal form being changed to a divine form, 

 he was carried up to the Druhva-mandalam. (The north polar star still 

 bears the name of Druhva-nacshetra). Maitraya here tells Vidura that 

 he who reads, or learns, this narrative will be prosperous in all his under- 

 takings. 



An account of Druhva\s posterity follows. His son was Urcala, who 

 did not even attempt to govern, but roamed about insensate, and like a 

 devil. His son was installed ; and some regular successions took place ; 

 down to Vena, a vile and vicious person, on whose account there was no 

 rain. He paid no attention to the counsel of the rishis, or spiritual men, 

 and these munis killed him. His wife ruled. The ministers of state 

 beat or churned the right-shoulder of Vena (some enigma, or symbol) by 

 which means a wicked king was produced. They beat, or churned, the 

 left-shoulder of Ve?ia and Vishnu in the form of one named Archisa-mati^ 

 or Frit^hu, was born. Different celestials gave him various gifts. Still 

 there was no rain : several starving people came, imploring food from the 

 king. PriVhu was much incensed against Bhumi-devi (the earth personi- 

 fied as a goddess) and in consequence he took his bow and arrows to 

 light with her. In ftdfilment of this intention he, for a long time, pur- 



