1839.] 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts, 



Trichinopoly, named Tana-cuttan. Her father named Athan cuttan, 

 died, when she was in an advanced stage of pregnancy; and as she had 

 no attendants at the time of her delivery, Siva himself assumed the shape 

 of a mother, and performed the office of accoucheuse ; which the celestials 

 beholding showered down flowers. "Whosoever pays homage to this 

 same Siva, will receive all manner of benefits. 



Remark. — The manuscript is complete, and in very good or- 

 der. The earlier legendary portion points to a time when there 

 were no Brabmans in the country ; when it was a province of 

 Lanca, or Ceylon (in all probability connected therewith by 

 an isthmus) ; and antecedent to Rama's invasion : which also ap- 

 parently preceded the visit of Agustya, who first led on colonist 

 Brahmans, and directed them to various localities in the Peninsula. 

 The mythological treatment of Brahma, can hardly escape remark : 

 however that I pass by, as a common matter in Saiva St'hala pura?ias. 

 The 10th section would be obscure, but for a glossary afforded by a 

 Mahratti manuscript, written at Tanjore, and abstracted in my Fifth 

 Report. By its help Sura vdlittan is identified with the first of the 

 series of Chola kings. The 12th section has heretofore received abun- 

 dant illustration : see, in particular, remarks on the Chola patayam in 

 my Second Report. The 13th section upsets altogether the fiction of 

 Tayuman-nalli as a founder of the shrine : and enables me to perceive, 

 that the wealth of the famous merchant of Caveripum-patnam (see 

 Tamil MS.bookNo. 1 Thifd Report) when renounced by himself went, in 

 a great measure, to this place ; so that Siva, by means of his Brahmans, 

 became administrator to the effects of the bewildered man, when un- 

 able to take charge of them himself. Such, in my view at least, is the 

 interpretation of the enigma of Siva becoming " a nourishing mother" 

 desigeated by the term Tayuman, or the Sanscrit Matri-bhuvesvara. 



3. Mahratta and Tuluva-desa charitra, or, an account of the Mali- 

 ratta, and Canara, countries. 



No. 234— Countermark 57. 



This manuscript consists of loose leaves ; for the greater part uncon- 

 nected. , At the first reading it disappointed me; and was laid by. But 

 ■ cvearV.hg it over after having abstracted the Carnataca rajakal, this book 

 a) pea red to possess great similarity, in such fragments as were at all 

 connected. On comparison, it was found to consist of portions of 



