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Contents of the Kerala Mahatmya. [No 31 



puri (Cochi) near the sea : Simpapuri residence of the Samanta 

 Ehanu Vicrama, Anantashayanam (Trevandram or Tiruan- 

 anta-puram) Sri Vardhanapuri [Tiruwitan codu] full of ba- 

 zars and elephants the residence of four Samanta brothers ; 

 of whom the first Bhanu Vicrama is to rule over Kerala, 

 whilst his younger brother Rana Vicrama is annointed as Vi- 

 ceroy in Gocarna. Lastly Suchindra [Indra's temple] and 

 Canya Cumari. 



§47-53. From this journey Parasu Rama returned to Gocar- 

 na, and decided several doubtful cases, which gave rise to the 

 different casts of half Brahmans [Ardhabrahmanas] Ambala- 

 vasi [temple servants] Nambidis, singers, dancers, &c. Brah- 

 mans were ordered to live with the women of these castes, as 

 well as with the Sudra wives, in order to multiply Brahmanical 

 descendants throughout the country. Some of the half Brah- 

 mans [Nambis] were instructed in the use of arms, to defend 

 temples and Brahmans all over Kerala ; which for military 

 purposes is divided into three provinces, each with a head 

 fencing school. 



Whilst Parasu Rama was engaged in holy services at Su- 

 brahmanyapura, a Demon came with Bauddhists, and killed 

 the prince he had placed over the Gocarna province. He 

 went to seek a ruler for the northern parts ; and on the seven 

 hills fell in with three princesses whom he gave into the 

 charge of the Brahman deputies of Lacshmipura, telling the 

 Yogasharya to anoint the first prince born by them. [The 

 intention of the Purana is evidently to describe Kerala as be- 

 ing first under the rule of the united Travancore and Colat- 

 tiri dynasty, the sway of which being contracted by foreign 

 aggression in the North, paved the way for the independent 

 rule of the Colattiri branch]. 



§ 54-60. Afterwards Parasu Rama went with the Brahmans 

 of these 64 colonies to his residence near the Vrihannadi (M : 

 Per-aru, the Ponani river) and ruled the country for 5300 



t 



