158 A Supptement to the Six Reports, 8fc. [N6. 33, 



ceived beatitude, by virtue of his compulsory bathing in the pool afore- 

 said. * The conclusion from these two tales,' continued the Brahman *is, ♦ 

 that since those two wicked ones received such benefit from the Brahma' 

 tirt^ha, its efficacy exceeds the power of human-description.' The young 

 man Punya-murti accordingly carried his father's bones thither, and put 

 them into the pool 5 and they immediately became blue lotus flowers. 

 The young man was astonished ; and the soul of the Brahman — who 

 when alive had performed many austerities — obtained beatitude. 



The names and situations of other pools, with their efficacy and the re- 

 ward for bathing in them, are specified. Legend of an image. Parvati 

 once came to Siva-giriy and told Vayu (god of wind) to go and bring a 

 small image from Cailasa, which was promptly done. She then paid it 

 homage. Siva came, in the form of an old man, with a staff, and asked 

 for food, which she set before him. He then resumed his own form, 

 and asked what gift was wanted. Parvati requested that all Brahmana 

 might always have plenty of good food ; the boon was accorded. 



Next a Siddhar (magician) came. A tale is told of his quarrel with 

 another Siddhar. Naredahein^ present directed them both to exhibit their 

 skill. One changed himself into a fish, and the other one changed himself 

 into a heron. They were afterwards reconciled. Two of the pools hence 

 derived their names ; one that of the fish; the other one that of the heron. 



Transition to the narrative of a Cheran, the subject of the following 

 and final section. 



Section 23. Legend of a Chera-kon (or king.) 



There was a C%er«-king whose head only bowed to Siva^ whose eyo 

 only looked on the god of Chitamharam^ whose arm was only employed in 

 testifying homage to Siva, whose feet only walked round the walls of his 

 temple ; who wore no other jewels than the beads consecrated to Siva, 

 This king went to Chitamharam (Chillambaram.) He had an interview 

 ■with the Chola king ; and with him visited the Saiva temples of the coun- 

 try. They then proceeded together and met the Pandiyan king. The 

 three then went together to Pyney ; where three Brahmans gave them an 

 account of the bathing places. The Chera caused an image to be put up 

 in his own name. A formless voice was heard declaring that the god 

 Suhrahmanya resided there. Afterwards the said god appeared with a 

 staff ; and the Cheran begged leave to build a temple to him : permission 

 being accorded the god disappeared. Visvacarma became manifest; and 

 was directed to build a temple, which he did, representing the appearance 

 of the god with a staff. The temple was very beautiful. The god was 

 represented standing with a staff in his hand (in other places, sittijig.) 

 Afterwards the other gods Vishnu, Indra^ &c. came and worshipped there. 

 The Cheraman appointed, to these gods, various ornaments, and their 

 praises are repeated. The Cheran is then represented, as enumerating 

 head, eyes, hands, feet, &c. declaring that they are not truly such, unless 



