124 Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts, [Jan. 



entrance of the descent to the inferior world. Thither he went with 

 troops, his proceedings, and the battles which followed, are detailed. It 

 was not possible to kill Mairavana: he was cut into pieces ; but the 

 parts of his body came together again. All attempts to put him to 

 death filled; until a relative pointed out that his life was in a certain 

 cave, in the form of bees. These were killed by Hanuman, and Mai- 

 ravana expired. The victor then placed the relative of Mairavana, who 

 had given the information, in possession of the kingdom of the in- 

 ferior regions, and took Rama and Lacshmana (both still asleep in the 

 box, and knowing nothing of the matter), back to their proper place. 

 Agastya narrated this tale to Rama in praise of Hanuman, Rama was 

 greatly pleased ; and showered down benefits on his successful protec- 

 tor. The whole time of the action of the poem was a single night. 



Note. — The manuscript is complete, a little injured by insects, but 

 not seriously. It is entered in Des. Catal. vol. 1. p. 97, art. 0. 



There are some resemblances in this poem to others* of European 

 production, which are to me rather surprising. Apart from which re- 

 flexion is the obvious remark, how lightly the Hindu votaries make of 

 their idol gods, as occasion serves. 



Manuscript book. No. 47. — Countermark 606. 



Sa?iatcu)nara'Silpi-sastra, 



This little book is Sanscrit, in the Canarese character. It states that 

 whereas several persons, in preceding times had written on the subject 

 of architecture and sculpture, the author named Sanatcumar a, having 

 studied the whole of them, and having adopted from them, what ap- 

 peared valuable, wrote down the results in this compilation. A detail 

 is then given of the consequences that will follow from undertaking any 

 work, in the various months of the year, some being propitious, and 

 some otherwise. The effects of beginning to construct any edifice, un- 

 der the different nacshetras, or 28 divisions of the lunar path. Differ- 

 ent colours of soils adopted to the four leading divisions among Hindus. 

 Matters such as these fill the document ; not pertaining to the practical, 

 or scientific parts of sculpture or building; but to astrological, and 

 other indications ; calculated, in the judgment of the writer, to guard 

 against evil, and secure the greatest amount of benefit. 



Note. — The book is in good preservation ; but is incomplete. It is 

 entered in Des. Catal. vol.2, p. 63, art. 14. 



* I allude to a passage of the JEneid, and to another ia Milton'3 principal poem. 



