I889.J 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



401 



him with an arrow. The incidents of this combat are given in some 

 detail. 



Section 12. Relates to modes of initiation into the Saiva and Vaish- 

 pava, systems of credence. The benefits of reading this Purana are 

 stated, and respectful mention is made of Vyasa, through whom, instru- 

 mentally, all the purdnas were declared to mankind. 



Note.— This manuscript is a little old in appearance ; two or three 

 leaves, towards the conclusion, are damaged, by being broken : the book 

 is otherwise complete, and in good preservation. 



It is entered in the Des. Catal. vol. I, p. 273, art. xvii ; and is stated to 

 contain ¥ a translation of the entire Vardha Parana" The contents 

 appear to agree with J he summary of contents of the Vardha Purana 

 given from a Sanscrit copy, vol. I. p.. 45, art. xi. 



Remark. — The use of this Parana in illustrating mythology is consi- 

 derable. In so far as historical enquiries are concerned the most re- 

 markable sections are 10 and 11. The latter, in particular, very clearly 

 relates to the great exterminating war made against the votaries of 

 Buddha. The combat of Durga against Maheshdsura has been, by 

 some, ridiculously termed the combat of personified virtue, against per- 

 sonified vice. No doubt there is personification, and mys tic allegory ; 

 but not precisely to that said effect. There are several great wars in- 

 dicated in Hindu story ; some of them. under a similar mystic veil ; as: 



1st. That of Sabrahmanya against the Asuras. 



2d. That of Pardsu Rdma against the Cshetriyas. 



3d. That of Rdma against Rdvana, and. other Rdcshasas. 



4th. That of Durga against Maheshdsura. 



And Maheshasura t in my opinion, is very propably only another name 

 for the mysterious personage more usually in the south denominated 

 Salivahana. 



The clue of symbolical writing which I have been enabled to get 

 hold of in the course of these enquiries, will, I am persuaded, if pa- 

 tiently, and perseveringly followed out, by individuals more capable in 

 the earlier languages than myself, ultimately tend to solve much of the 

 marvellous, and paradoxical, contained in Hindu writings; and draw 

 aside, at leasts part of, the cloudy veil which now, like a fog of great 

 density, hangs over, and obscures, our view of remote antiquity. 



S; Vencatesvara Mahdtmyam, the legend of the fane at Tripetty, 

 lplo 102. 



This is a manuscript of two hundred and two palm leaves, a little old j 

 but in good preservation^ and in fine hand-writing. It is the production 



