410 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



[Oct. 



also sectavial descriptions of Siva ; of his paradise ; and votaries. The 

 language, I am told, is distinguishable from the ordinary phraseology of 

 Brahmans; and it would seem as if Basnvapa, head of the sect, was 

 rather a warrior of the Sudra class,. in which case Naimaya, and the 

 scholars of the latter would be Sudras also. The system is ultra salmi ; 

 it neglects or despises the Vedas ; and proceeds wholly on the Taniras 

 or Agamas. There is, however, much that agrees with the more generally 

 received system of Hinduism. While the Vlra Saivus vary from other 

 Hindus, they arc the still more direct opponents of the Jalnas ; and the 

 extermination of the Jainas, in the N. W. of the Peninsula, was chiefly 

 effected by them. They are usually termed Lingadharis in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Madras. 



Note. — This manuscript is in appearance very old ; it is complete. 

 The leaves are in some places perforated by worms ; occasionally obli- 

 terating some letters ; though this injury is less than might have been 

 anticipated. When first opened several small white worms were turned 

 out of it, and these, in a month or two, would have rendered the whole 

 illegible. A little care is necessary with these manuscripts, in occasi- 

 onally opening, and drying them. It ought to be a special duty of 

 some one individual. 



The manuscript is entered in Des. Cat. vol.2, p. 31, art. xxxii. 



b. Manuscript Books. 

 Manuscript book, No. 5 — no Countermark. 



The contents of this document are partly in Mahratti, and partly in 

 Canarese. The former has been before attended to (see 4th Report c). 



The Canarese is now adverted to ; in order that the book may be final- 

 ly disposed of. 



Section 1. (In Mahratti). It has a page of Telugu, in Canarese let- 

 ters, relating to a wonderful tree, looking large at a distance ; diminish- 

 ing on approach ; and disappearing on coming very near. It can only 

 be found by the wise, and spiritually enlightened. 



Section 2. Relative to Chandra-drona parvatam, is partly in Mah- 

 ratti, with a supplement in Canarese writing, not differently ^sectioned, 

 but which supplement is properly, a legend of Dattdtreya. 



It is in the Canarese character ; but the language on examination 

 was found to be Telugu. It relates to the sage Dattdtreya, and his 



