302 



Note on an Ancient Hindu Grant 



[April 



learned Tamil divine, who died about fifteen years ago named Anna- 

 vapjjengar, author of a commentary on che Uttara Rama Charitra, 

 wrote likewise a polemical volume on this topic. 



It is to be observed that both sects worship the same god Vishnu ; 

 and use the same rites. Their differences regard none but points 

 which are known to be mere trifles. Indeed, they chiefly regard parti- 

 cuhir customs connected with eating and drinking. 



The Ecadasi Sra ldham is not practised by the Tengalas, nor do the}'- 

 use the bell in worship. 



The Tengala sect has prevailed greatly over the other, who are near- 

 ly silenced both at Sri Rangam, (Trichinopoly) and Madras. 



At the sacrifice called Yajna, the Tengalas say they use the plshta 

 pasuh, or small figure of a goat, made of paste. The otherii use the 

 chhaga pasuh, or living goat. But in fact both sects have laid aside 

 the yajna: which the Smartas continually celebrate. Hence among 

 the Tengalas and Vadagalas, the name Somayazi is laid aside : for that 

 title appertains to the Bramin who has celebrated this sacrifice. 



VI.— Note on an Ancient Hindu Grant.— By Walter Elliot, Esq. 



Some time ago I obtained a set of copper-plates, united by a ring in 

 the usual mode of ancient Hindu grants, bearing an inscription in a 

 character which was said to be unknown. The plates are three in num- 

 ber, inches long by 1|- in breadth, of a shape differing from any I 

 had hitherto met with. Unfortunately the symbol on the ring or seal is 

 defaced. The plates were said to have been found in the kol, or lake, 

 near Masulipatam, some years ago, and had been laid aside as utterly 

 unintelligible. 



Several of the letters being nearly identical with the Hala Canarese 

 alphabet, most of the words were with some difficulty deciphered. 

 The characters bear a considerable affinity to those of an inscription 

 from Ararawutty, published in the Journal Asiatic Society* of Bengal, 

 but appear to be of a considerably older date, if such an inference may be 

 drawn from the ruder and more simple forms of the letters, as will appear 

 from the fac-simile opposite, which shows likewise the shape and size 

 of the copper-plates. The language is Sanscrit, the style being simple 



• Vol. vi. p. 218—Pls. xi. xiii. 



