226 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



[Oct. 



there is usually something to indicate contempt and detestation). If any 

 one speak with them or even see them {dosham-varum) evil, or crime, 

 will occur. 



Prit^hu, sngyy cit Indra, took bow and arrow s ; and, ordering the sacrifice 

 to stop, said he would summon and punish Indra by the power of incanta- 

 tion. On making the homam (oblation, or sacrifice by fire) Brahma ap- 

 peared, and told PriVhii, it was not right to do any thing of evil bearing, 

 towards Indra. He addressed the rishis ; and, again directing his words to 

 Frit'hu, bid him consider what was there in the effect of a ydgam to him, 

 whose higher ambition should be rather to seek mocsham, or beatitude, 

 than perishable earthly good ; whence it would be his wisdom to let the 

 sacrifice and Indra alone. Brahma added that the merit of ninety-nine 

 sacrifices w^as sufl[icient for him : he Vv'as already (by birth) a form, or 

 incarnation, of a portion of Vishnu (ddi Viahnu-murt'i). Indra was a 

 virtuous personage ; and charging Prifhu to be friendly with Indra, 

 /??'a/^?;^ff went away.* After receiving this lesson PriV'/z?* put an end to 

 the sacrifi-ce, and paying due honours to all concerned therein, he gave 

 presents to the poor ; and was highly flattered in being told that his 

 sacrifice was quite sufficient for the Bhu-devas, or gods of the earth (that 

 is, the Brahmans, for they assume to themselves that title). Afterwards 

 Vishnu himself came on his eagle conveyance, bringing Indra with him : 

 and, after complimenting Pr2Y' Aw told him he must be friendly sNith. Indra, 

 Vishnu terms both of them dtmana per {pure soul, or spiritual beings), 

 between whom there ought to be neither enmity, treacherous friendship? 

 nor division. Prifhu paid all reverential homage to Vi.'^hnu, wdio being 

 pleased thereby, desired him to ask a gift. PrifHiu replied that the 

 privilege of worshipping at his feet was suflEicient, and pei-mission to 

 this effect was given. Indra then fell at Prifhu' s feet implored pardon, 

 and was forgiven ; thenceforward they were friends. But, though they 

 w^ere friendly, Prif hu, from that time, relinquished all desire of such 

 benefits as Indra could bestow (rain, fertility of land, &c. earthly good) ; 



BanddJml or Jaina, system had any influential prevalence in India until after the era of 

 Asoca-Verddhana oi Mdgad/ia, who was long posterior to Ja7icmejai/a or Paricshit. But that 

 system must so far have prevailed as to cause great hatred towards it from Hindus, when 

 this Purana was written. Hence I should be disposed to date its original composition, 

 as late as the era of Vicramaditya, or even the time of Bhoja raja, and indeed, if I remem- 

 ber aright, both Mr. Colebrooke, and Professor Wilson, agree in making its composition to 

 lie at least equally modern. My argument arises from internal evidence. 



* The circuitous and emblematic manner in which the moral, that even kings of unex. 

 ampled prosperity must not expect divine, or perfect, happiness on earth; as also, that 

 there is a higher good to be obtained than earth can bestow, is, in the above narrative, 

 worthy of being observed. 



