1838.] Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



249 



world. Laudatory strains, of the worshippers of the god, follow. Up- 

 wards of one hundred stanzas are occupied with the foregoing matters. 

 The contents of the Purdna are next indicated. It professes to be taken 

 from the Scanda Purana ; is narrated (as usual) by Suta-rishi to other 

 rishis. It is announced that the work will contain twenty-three sections, 

 or chapters. The praise of the town is given, with some mention of the 

 three qualities — rdjasam, tdmasam, and satwicam ; or choler, depravity, and 

 2)urity. The name of the work is then stated to be the Pazhani Puranam 

 (in the South usually pronounced Palani Puranam) : then follows an 

 apology for defects that may be observable, stating that though the work 

 may be rude, yet that, as it contains the sacred name of God, like a pearl 

 from the sea, it is hoped that it may be allowed to pass without severe 

 censure. The author then pays his court to other poets, according to 

 established rule, stating his own entire inferiority ; and, after these pre- 

 cautions, proceeds with the different subjects as announced. 



Section 1. Concerning the mountain. 



An enumeration is given of celebrated hills, in different parts oi the 

 country of India ; all subordinate to Maha-meru ; occupying forty-eight 

 stanzas. 



Section 2. Concerning Vardha-giri. 



This is the mountain on which the temple of Suhrahnanya at Pyney 

 is built, and forms the subject of special praise. It is termed the 

 L Southern Cailasa, An enumeration follows of special trees, and shrubs, 

 f growing on the mountain; next of the bh'ds, proper to it; and lastly of 

 the Curuvars, or wild people inhabiting it. 



Section 3. Account of Mayatri. 



It is asked of Suta-rishi, why Varaha-giri came to be called Mayatri or 

 Maijdchalam (both words in Sanscrit meaning " illusive-mountain") who 

 replies that it was because Siva dwelt therein, as the pancha karfa-kal 

 (or five -lords*). 



* These are Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Sadasha and Mdyesvara. The three first are the 

 Trimurti. The fourth (in the dialect of his followers) is Siva, as the Supreme Being 

 and the last is Siva assuming illusory forms. 



I 



