1850.] 



Analysis of Mackenzie Manuscripts, 



m 



according to the Jaina credence; the substance is, that he renounced all 

 earthly attachments, and relationship -whatsoever, and patiently prepared 

 himself for a change of worlds; which shortly afterwards occurred; and, 

 according to the book, he obtained beatification. The presenting a poi- 

 soned fruit, merely to kill by the smell, seems to involve some enigma-, 

 or recondite meaning. There is added much praise of the Jaina per- 

 suasion and mode of credence, and severe condemnation is denounced 

 against the Vira Saiva class. The account of JBasava, by consequence 

 differs in some particulars from that in Vira Saisa books ; but confirms 

 the leading points. The events towards the close are dated in the 4000th 

 year of the Cali-yvga ; which would be about 900 years ago ; and would 

 fix the period to A. D. 900 or 1000, but the date does not appear to be 

 very definitely fixed as it may mean some period after the commence- 

 ment of the Cali-yuga year 4000. 



Eemabk. — The book is a thick octavo and is written with good ink 

 on stout country paper. It remains in very good preservation. It is 

 important in reference to the northern Chalukyas. 



jSote. — It is entered in Des. Catal. vol. 2, p. 27, art. 25. 

 Manuscript Book, No. 59, C. M. 437. 



lb- ,, wanting. 



Ib. „ 52 s , 4S9. 



Ib. „ 53 „ 



Ib. „ 54 „ 



JShairai'esi'ara-cadha-g i}'bha-sutr i-? atmc tru. 



These books contain an account of Hindu legends, moulded into a 

 model for the Jangama class of Saigas. The whole might be termed 

 an abstract of those voluminous legends, many of which, have been 

 stated in the course of the present researches. To enter into any detail 

 would be superfluous. The Descriptive Catalogue may be consulted. 

 In the portions more particularly examined by me, I found legends 

 from the Bhagavatam, concerning Criskna ; others concerning Sioa, and 

 the Jangamas. 



From such investigations as I have made it would appear, that the 

 more learned of the Jangimas, in various works, made digests of ab- 

 struse books ; adapting the contents to their own sect, and forming a 

 body of mythology adapted slowly and silently to supersede the regu- 

 lar Hindu dogmas. I do not know that these closely written volumes 

 would repay the trouble of more scrarinizing inquiry ; but I think 

 they would not, they remain in good preservation. 



An entry occurs in Des. Catal. vol. 2. p. 23, art, 17. 



VOL. rri. so. xxx-ii. N 



