lis Heport on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. \3k^> 



southern was mentioned, with some details of posterity on either side; 

 and there really may be truth in such a simple statement, respecting a 

 remote period, greatly mystified by Hindu writers. As to Sdlivdhana, 

 having for father i\naga, or snuke, it is mere symbol The illegitimate 

 son of KuJottviiga naned Adondai, the c» nqnetor of the Curmnbarsis, in 

 several Tamil njanuscripis, said to be the son of a Naga canya^ or fe- 

 male-serpent, which plainer books tell us means a femile slave, or 

 daneinc; girl, of Kidottmiga Chofas court. To build any wild deductions 

 on such figurative terms in Hhida wriling.sis nonsense. The Brahmans 

 have thtrir "slang" language, just as much as the gipsies, or the joc- 

 keys of Newmarket. To get at their m*^fiiiing, where they purposely 

 conceal it, is the problem. Colonel Ma* kenzie seems to have had a hint 

 given him; since he has written in pencil on the document, ** A tan- 

 trum, or specimen of fabulous history." A tantra no doubt it is ; and 

 the meaning seems to be that the glorious Ficrumaditija was beaten by 

 the son of a slave, or wild forester. 



At the end of the document, it is stated to have been expressly com- 

 piled from other bo( ks by Sri-pati rao^ and C himmancji-uppa, in Novem- 

 ber 1805, at Ahmednugger. 



Section 2. In the injury to which the book has been exposed, this 

 section appears to have been lost. 



Section 3. Account of Damaji Pant, a person remarkable among 

 the Vahhnavas 



About 700 years ago, one Damaji wtis employed as a gomasteh, or 

 factor, at the court of the Delhi-Padshah ; and, as a reward for the skill 

 which he displayed, a small district uas made over to him, as a zemin- 

 dary, subject, to a tax. On going to his district, Damaji greatly abound- 

 ed in liberality to Vaishnava Brahmans, multitudes of whom in con- 

 sequence resorted to him; and could not be refused. The result was 

 that Z)flma;'i'# tax ran on in arrears ; until, at length he was compelled 

 to write to the Padshah, and explain his insolvent situation. The Pad- 

 shah sent officers to take him; put him in fetters; and bring him to 

 Delhi. But the deity at Panrapur (or Panderpore), hearing the misfor- 

 tune of his votary, represented the case to Rucmeni, his spouse, and bor- 

 rowed from her, all her golden, and jewelled, ornaments. Assuming 

 then the appearance of a relative of Damaji, the said Criahna went to 

 the presence of the Padshah ; offered payment of Damaji Pantos 

 arrears ; and demanded a receipt, and full acquittal. The Padshah was 

 so struck with the surpassing beauty of the messenger's countenance^ 



