96 



Analysis of Mackenzie Manuscripts. [No. 37, 



the said patronage. He received indifferently all who came ; if they 

 adopted that mode of credence, and put on its symbol. People of low 

 caste?, or of no caste, such as are despised by Hindus, were received by 

 him, and thenceforward caste distinctions were abolished. The Viva 

 Stwsa system knowing no distinctions within itself. The third, and fourth 

 chapter state, that Basava, by the said means, exhausted the public trea- 

 sury; which circumstance, coming to the king's knowledge, he became 

 much incensed against Basava and appointing another Pratani or trea- 

 surer placed troops at Iris disposal; and bade him go, and seize Basava, 

 wherever he might be found. Great disputes and fighting took place, 

 between this new chief, and the adherents of the minister, in which man- 

 tras or charms, were resorted to, on both sides; till at length a powerful 

 mantra, employed by the king's party, was the means of bringing Basaoa 

 to his presence. The king remonstrated very warmly with him; and 

 entered into a long discussion, as to the superiority of the Jaina religion; 

 the excellence of which he greatly exalted. Basava remonstrated in turn ; 

 and maintained that without cause he had been thus treated. From the 

 fifth to the twelfth chapters, the following is the general substance. A 

 description is given of Padmavati, the wife of Bijala, herein said to have 

 been the elder sister of Basaoa (which does not accord with the Vira- 

 Sawa books ; this book being a Jaina document, antagonist to the 

 Jangamas.) A son was born to B{jjala, by this wife. Subsequently 

 Basava is represented as conspiring against the king, by hiring three 

 persons named Saha-deva Bommayan, and Mtdlaiyan, to personate torch 

 bearers; and when admitted, as such, to the presence of the king, to 

 take the opportunity of assassinating him. The king however did not 

 like their appearance ; and, after some little investigation, had them all 

 three impaled alive. There is a filling in of other matter, previous to 

 the catastrophe. Among other things Bijjala is stated once to have sent 

 his child to see Basava, which would imply restored confidence. There 

 is also a long detail concerning great efforts made to obtain a fabulous 

 weapon, which would enable the king to conquer all without being con- 

 quered by any one: the same being a mere deceptive device of Basava. 

 3Iean time Basava was resolved to take away the king's life ; which, at 

 length he effected, by means of one of the Brahmans who had been 

 brought over to his sect; whom he sent to present a poisoned fruit to the 

 king. The latter, on smelling, became powerfully affected; but for a 

 time recovered. He considered Basava, as the cause of this evil, and 

 gave orders to take troops, and seize him, wherever he might be found. 

 Basava was however on the alert, and escaped : the king now found that 

 his end was approaching ; and his preparations for death are narrated 



