April— june 1857.] The Tamil Epic Chintamani. 4T 



favorite art. Jivaka entered the list of competitors for the hand 

 of Tattiyar, and his performance on the vina gained him the prize he 

 coveted. The history of these events contained in this section oc- 

 cupies 358 stanzas. 



4. Gundmaleyar Ilambakam is the name of the fourth section 

 which contains 315 stanzas. This section presents to the reader two 

 young women of high family named respectively Gunamalei and 

 Churamanjari who contended for superiority in regard to certain 

 scented powders they possessed. These perfumes were so apparent- 

 ly identic in quality that it was impossible for ordinary persons to 

 determine which was the better. Jivaka decides the matter in favor 

 of Kunamalei : she accepts him in marriage. 



This section further relates some particulars respecting Sudarsana- 

 jakshadeva who at that time appeared in the form of a dog, as the 

 result of former deeds. He is metamorphosed by Jivaka and at- 

 tains his former position, on account of which he magnifies the 

 powers of his deliverer. 



This section also relates the incident of Churamanjari's escape 

 from an Elephant which was killed by Jivaka when about to at- 

 tack her. 



5. The fifth section is called Pathumeiyar Ilambakam. This 

 section narrates the travels of Jivaka in foreign lands. In the 

 course of travel he meets Pathumei, a daughter of the king of 

 Pallavam, when she was engaged in gathering flowers ; as she was 

 thus employed she was bitten by a venomous serpent : she is healed 

 by Jivaka, and in gratitude gives him her hand in marriage. The 

 section contains 246 verses. 



6. The sixth section is called Kemasariyar Ilambakam. This 

 portion of the work narrates the visit of Jivaka to Kshemadesam 

 where he performs prodigies that gain for him the admiration of 

 the king who bestowed on him his daughter in marriage : her name 

 was Kshema Sundari. This section contains 145 verses. 



7. The seventh section is called Kanakamaleyar Ilambakam, 

 Here Jivaka the hero of the poem is found in Susanadesam. 



The king suspends on high a mark, promising to give his daughter 



