84 



Analysis of Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



[No. 37, 



though numbering some proselyte Bra'hmans, yet are the opposcrs of 

 Brahmanical supremacy: in the rites of funerals they differ from other 

 Hindus, inasmuch as they bury their dead ; and also differ in the obser- 

 vances at that period customary. These few particulars I gather en pas- 

 sant from inquiry; but there are materials in the collection for the de- 

 velopment of the history, and principles of this class of people. 



Manuscript Book, No. 13, C. M. 494. 



Ibidem 14, „ 495. 



These are two complete copies of a work entitled Saranullilamrila, the 

 nectar of the Jangama system. Sioa, in Cailasa, becoming angry with 

 Nandi his vehicle, and sundry others of his attendants, sentenced them 

 to go down in the shape of men. Nandi was born as the son of a Brah- 

 man woman, in an alms-house; and was called Basava. The others were 

 bom in various places of inferior castes. Basava, in progress of time, 

 had occasion to exhibit various marvels in the presence of Bijala king of 

 Kalyana, and a Jaina. For example he caused a document bearing an 

 inscription to fall down from the atmosphere before the king and when 

 no one could read the contents, Basava did so with facility. 



This inscription indicated places containing concealed treasure, which 

 came into possession of the king, and induced him to place great confi- 

 dence in Basava ; so much so that lie chose Basava as his minister of 

 state. In this office Basava fed daily one hundred and ninety-six thou- 

 sand* Jangamas. He confined his patronage entirely to the Ashti-varna 

 class; or those who wore one of the eight distinguishing marks of the 

 religion of Siva. He made no other distinction, from the Brahman down 

 to the Pariar, than simply requiring that the devotee should be one wear- 

 ing either the linga, or other symbol of the Saivas. Such a one received 

 food, presents and civilities, on dismissal. A devotee of the ultra Saiva 

 class was in the habit of exercising his capabilities as a thief, by plunder- 

 ing the houses of those who did not wear the Saiva distinguishing sym- 

 bol and of distributing the proceeds benevolently among those who did 

 wear it. Being at a loss for further plunder, he at length fixed on the 

 palace of the king, as being a Jaina and not wearing the mark. At the 

 gate of the palace he met Basava, who first prostrating himself asked him 

 what he wanted : he is stated to have explained his intentions, and Ba- 

 sava took him with him into the palace, showed him the treasure, and al- 



* This number of one lalih and ninety -six thousand, I understand to be a 

 phrase cut and dried, to intimate a great number, not less but as many more as 

 imagination may be pleased to add. 



