86 



Analysis of Mackenzie Manuscripts. [No. 87; 



Note.— The books are entered in Des. Cat. vol, 2, p. 25, art. 20, 

 Both volumes are a little injured in the binding, and No. 13 by insects — 

 for the rest they are in good preservation. 



Ashta-varna-tilaca, - - - No. 27, C. M. 503 

 Continuation, . - 28, ,, 504 



Ibidem, ..... 29, „ 505 



The literal rendering of the title is " the excellency of the eight-colors,'' 

 and those matters intended to be designated by the eight colors are : 



1. The Guru, or spiritual teacher. 2. The Ungmn or emblem of Siva. 

 3. The Jangama, the Vira Saiva devotee. 4. The vibuthi, or sacred ashes, 

 5. The rudracsha or sacred beads. 6. The tint mantra, or sacred charm. 

 7. The padatacam, or water which has washed the feet of a spiritual 

 teacher. 8. The prasadam, or benediction of a spiritual teacher. 



Each of these subjects is illustrated by tales, in the manner of the re- 

 gular SChala paranas. For instance the excellence of the vibuthi is en- 

 forced by a story of a king, who treated these sacred ashes with contempt, 

 and opprobrium; and, in consequence, by adverse circumstances, lost his 

 kingdom, and wandered about as an exile, or outcast, in wastes and 

 forests, his wife sharing in his perils, and they were both restored to 

 prosperity by virtue of the said ashes. 



The book is of the Vira Saiva, or Jangama class. The tales are pro- 

 bably quite fictitious ; but adapted to explain the tenets of this class, in 

 the same way as Stdhala puranas show the precise character of other 

 local systems. Some of the narratives afford information on the great 

 dispute between the Vira Saioas, and the Jainas. 



Note. — These volumes are three octavos, uniformly written on country 

 paper, which is a little injured by worms ; the binding of the first volume 

 is somewhat damaged ; that of the two others very good. The whole 

 work is in tolerable preservation. 



An entry occurs in the Des. Catal. vol. 2, p. 27, article 24. 



Rudra bharatam. No. 43, C. M. 521. 



This is one of the most curious books, in regard to excessive extrava- 

 gance, which I have yet met with. Like other Vira- Saiva books it men- 

 tions certain original principles, or existences, from which others were 

 produced ; and by these last creation was formed. There is an evident 

 recognition of many of the tenets of Hinduism proper; but these are 

 strangely caricatured. There is more than one Brahma, more than one 

 Vishnu, and more than one Siva. The nine Brahmadicas are recognized 

 and have their names specified. Besides the mundane creation, the dif- 

 ferent superior regions are described and here extravagance proceeds to 

 the utmost measure of wildness. There are Isviras whose bodies are 



