104 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



dhar, a Brahman of Sri-vili piitfur publicly disputed in the king's pre- 

 sence, with the votaries of other systems; confuted them ; carried off 

 the prize which the king had appointed as the reward of the successful 

 disputant; and converted the king to the Vmshnava faith: who conse- 

 quently built shrines and fanes, especially at Sri-vili piUtur. At a later 

 period one named Yamandcharyar, of the same place, in like manner 

 overcame in a polemical discussion, and by the Pdndiija king of the 

 day was rewarded very munificently. The work then adverts to the 

 history of Crishna, with a profusion of poetical ornament, concerning 

 the Gopis ; and expatiates on the excellence of his shrine at Viliputtur. 

 A remarkable story occurs : a rdcshasa (or savage) having caught &ddsi, 

 or female slave of the fane, purposed to kill, and eat her (another trace 

 of cannibalism in the South of India), to which the ddsi made up her 

 mind ; but begged permission first to relate some stories. She drew on 

 her knowledge in order to narrate the Hindu account of the origin of 

 the world, mythology, and the like; with such marked effect, that the 

 barbarian renounced his anthropophagy; became a convert to the 

 Vaishnava system, and had his " vile body" transformed into one 

 resplendent with lustre. Subsequently the incarnation of Ramanuja 

 is stated ; together with his victories, as a champion of the ultra Faish' 

 nava system. 



Note. — The manuscript No. 25 is rather old; the palm-leaf No. IS 

 is broken in two, and one half lost : for the rest the copy is complete^ 

 and without damage. No. 26 is somewhat older in appearance than the 

 other. The 42d leaf is broken in two, but neither half lost. The last 

 two leaves are slightly touched by insects. The copy is in all other 

 respects complete, and without injury. 



The manuscript No. 2/ has four blank leaves wanting, in the fifth 

 section ; forming a chasm in the subject : the remainder is complete. 



The book is of recent appearance, slightly touched by insects in a 

 few places; but, on the whole, in good order, snd preservation. 



The three copies are entered in the Des. Catal. vol. 1. p. 318, art?;. 3 &4. 



12. Crishna Arjuna Samvddam, or the discussion between Crishna 

 and Arjuna, No. 19.— Countermark 279. 



A Gandharhha offended Crishna,t\\en ruling m Dwaraca,w\\os,e court 

 is described. Crishna being angry, and threatening the chorister's life, 

 it mounted a flower, as a vehicle, and speeded to Arjuna for protection. 

 Arjuna granted the boon. Crishna sent messages, demanding the res- 

 toration of his servant, which Arjuna pertinaciously refused. The con- 



