242 Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. [Oct, 



the king ; and, after uttering certain sounds expressive of fiendish de- 

 light, vanished. The king, Tirumala, was extremely troubled at the 

 unusual and unearthly visit ; which induced him to go and make a special 

 homage at the shrine of MindcsM. She appeared to him afterwards, in 

 vision ; and directed that, in order to appease the troubled spirit of 

 Virapen, an annual great sacrifice of sheep should be made to him, and 

 that he must be worshipped as a god ; in consequence of his great 

 devotedness to her shrine. This order was attended to ; and an image 

 of Virapen was placed in the fane. The poem concludes with stanzas, 

 in the shape of a hymn to Virapen^ of a mystic kind ; but of course too 

 revolting to be more than simply mentioned. 



Remark. — In abstracting this poem I have been a little more parti- 

 cular, than its measure of historical consequence alone would desei-ve ; 

 ' because of its very extraordinary contents, as to manners, and mytholo- 

 gy. I confess myself somewhat incredulous regarding them ; suppos- 

 ing that there may be ornament in other things, as well as in the spec- 

 tre-story. But there must be an under stratum of truth ; though allow- 

 ing for some poetical colouring. The depraving tendency of the wor- 

 ship of Siva's consort, under whichsoever of her names, or forms, con- 

 ducted, is herein evident ; were proofs otherwise wanting, which is not 

 the case ; since they exist in ample abundance. 



Note. — The three copies of the MS. are entered in the Des. Cat. vol. 

 1, p. 205, art. xxiv, with tolerable correctness, one or two points being 

 excepted ; but still so as to make it manifest that the compiler of the 

 catalogue was not told all the truth. 



19. A small book, without mark or number. 



On looking closely at the boards the marks of labels, having once beerp 

 pasted on, are discernible ; which circumstance is the only one remain- 

 ing to identify the MS. with this collection, besides being now found 

 therein. It is written on broad palm-leaves, and is not complete at the 

 end. In the commencement Nanja-raja is addressed, as if by epistle x 

 but the document seems to be wholly of the hdna class ; and therefore 

 «ieserving no further notice. 



20. TiruvaUuvar-cural, an ethical poem by Tiruvalluvar, No. 101. 

 —Countermark 191. 



