1840.] 



Eeport on the Mackenzie Manuscripts, 



93 



and recklessness of character. A sort of trick is practised in tbe light- 

 ing the said column; so as to induce people, unacquainted with the 

 secret, to consider it to be miraculous, because it always oc ' urs in^ianta- 

 neously at (he very moment when the lamps are lighted below, effected by- 

 contrivance through the said fishermen, andby signal. It is added afier- 

 wards that when ViraSambhuva rayer ruled, the CItola deMam. he enlarg- 

 ed the fane by various additions. About 700 years since a Valldla king, 

 Said to have ruled over the Tuluva country, cume liither, and felt a de- 

 sire to live at the place ; but as its sacredness forbad the doing so, he 

 built a town at some distance, and resided there. A vile story follows 

 of Siva appearing under the form of an old Pandaram^ and acting a part 

 very unworthy of a god; but the story, however debasing to the object 

 of their worship seems very pleasing to his votaries, as it is found in 

 at least three books wi?h reference to different kings, or chiefs in vari- 

 ous places. The Valldla king afterwards accomplished great conquests. 

 The Rayer dynas'y subsequently made additions to this shrine. 

 The Mahomedan^, when they acquired power, manifested much com- 

 placency towards this shrine; and gave it some grants and immunities. 

 The manuscript adds that the Honourable Company follow the like 

 method of proceeding. 



Note — This document is complete. It is somewhat damage! by 

 insects; but, as yet not seriously. There is nothing in the document 

 of consequen e unless a complete exposure of the folly, and stupidi- 

 ty, as well as criminalify, of idolatry be so considered. Appended is 

 copy of an inscription taken from tlie w all of a building erected by 

 Vajranga Pandiyan V is dated Sal. Sac. 1 283 (A. D. 1361) , and com- 

 memorates the gift of some land to the place by Curnura- Campanra- 

 udiyar, son of Vira Bukha'Campanm^ of the family of Harihara-rayer, 

 (This Citmpanra-udiyar it will be remembered performed an office of 

 consequence in expelling the first marauding inroad of Mahomedans 

 from the extreme south. This inscription therefore is of some interest). 

 The manuscript is in good preservation. 



I do not find it entered in the Des. Catalogue, and it has not the usual 

 marks of classificatiort, though the otlier Nos. are not wanting. 



10^ Tv uvannamallni-guru nama-slvayi kyfeaf-i or account of i\^at?a- 

 uvayif a ^ra^wm/i of Tiinomallee, No. 248— Countermark. 101. 



This a production of the class of writing heretofore more than once 

 adverted to, io which prose is mingled with verse ; the former being, 



