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Kannada Versions of the Puranas [kannadabhasayam puranani] / By Sri M.K. Suryanarayanarao, M.A., Research Assistant, New Catalogus Catalogorum, Sanskrit Department, Madras University / 147-173

[ samskrtabhasayam vartamanaih puranaprabandhaih pravartitah karnataka- bhasakavayah tan tadantargatan ksetratirthadimahatmyabhagan karnatakabhasayam padyatmakah, gadyatmakah paryavartayan | tathavidhakarnatakaprabandhatha padyatmakah, campvatmakasca drsyante | tesam kartrpratipadyadivisaya atra varayante | ] on the The influence of the Sanskrit epics and Puranas on people of Karnataka is amply reflected in their fine arts and literary works. Episodes from the Puranas are to be found sculptured on the walls of several temples dating from the 11th Century onwards. The temples being the centre of all religious activities, we find that several endowments have been made to temples by various kings, and chieftains. Grants of villages were made for the purpose of "performance of prayers, sacrifices, daily services and recitation of the Vedas" according to an inscription of Hoysala Ballaladeva (1174 A. D) found at the bottom of a stone on the inner wall of the Treasury of Cennakesava temple in Belur'a Specific reference to grant of a share to the teachers of Puranas 1. Prepared under the direction of Dr. V. Raghavan. K.K. C. Note : MD (K.) No MYS. D. No. Karnataka Kavi Carite, Vols. I, II and III Printed in 1924 (2nd Edn.), 1924 and 1929 respectively. A Descriptive Catalogue of the Kannada MSS, in the Government Oriental MSS. Library, Madras, Ptd. in 1937. A Descriptive Catalogue of Kannada MSS. in the Oriental Research Institute Mysore, Ptd. in 1962. Not clear whether adaptation or actua rendering. 10. Epigraphia Carnatica, Vol. V, Pt. I, pp. 134-135 (Kannada trans literation portion)

148 puranam - PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 1 is to be found in an inscription during the reign of Bijjaladeva of Kalacurya dynasty. This Silasasana at Taldagundi (1157 A. D.) written in Halegannada (old Kannada) characters purports to say that mahapradhana Kesava Danayaka and his accountants gave the village of Hiriya Tagulatti as a grant and the settlement was made having in view the discharge of various religious duties. Thus the Vedasakhas, teachers of language and and the heads of different schools of logic as well as the teachers of Kannada got relevant shares. The teachers of the Puranas und Sastras had their own shares specified in the grant. grammar Coming to the literary works, it is seen that in the early part of the 10th and 11th centuries when Jaina writers dominated the field of Kannada literature, the influence of Sanskrit was restricted to the use of Sanskrit words to enrich the Kannada vocabulary. Religion was the main force behind Jaina works. If poets like Adipampa (941 A. D.) and Nagacandra (1100 A. D.) drew the theme from the Sanskrit epics for their Vikramarjunavijaya and Ramcandracaritapurana, it was only to equate their patrons to the heroes of the epics and to propagate their religous tenets. The Sanskrit epics have undergone a remarkable change at the hands of the Jaina writers, who re-wrote these stories as it were, to suit their Sampradaya. An important feature of the Kannada works by the Jaina writers is the prose-verse form. The Campu form had taken firm root in these writers to such an extent that even their successors like the Bralumin poets could not overcome its spell. Rudrabhatta (about 1180 A. D.) who is said to be the first Brahmin poet "who wrote the Purana of the Brahmins in the form of a Kavya" wrote his Jagamathavijaya in prose-verse form. This work has as its theme the Krsnacaritra found in the 5th and 6th amsas of the Sanskrit Visnupurana. The period between 12th and 15th centuries was the heyday of Kannada literature under the Virasaiva poets who wrote many Kannada works in simple style with vacana and metres like 2. Mysore Inscriptions. Tr. by B. L. Rice, P. 193 3. S. G. Narasimhacar. vide his introduction to Jagannath avijaya, 1904 edn., p. xiii. KANNADA VERSIONS OF THE PURANAS 149 Jan., 1964] Ragale, Satpadi, Tripadi Sangatya and so on. But the actual impetus to render the Sanskrit Puranas into Kannada came from the Kings of Vijayanagar of whom Acyutaraya may be mentioned. It is perhaps during his rule (1530-1542 A.D.) that Catuvithalanatha also called Nityatmasuka wrote his Kannada Bhagavata, being the Kannada version of the Sanskrit Bhagavata with its twelve Skandhas, in Bhaminisatpadi metre. It is, however, from the 16th century onwards that many poets patronised by the Kings of Mysore rendered the Sanskrit Puranas or sections thereof into Kannada. Kings like Camaraja (1617-1637 A. D.), Cikkadevaraja (1672-1704 A.D.), Mummadikrsnaraja (1794-1868 A. D.) were themselves poets of no mean order. King Camaraja wrote prose versions of Ramayana and the Brahmottarakhanda of Skandapurana. Cikkupadhyaya (1672 A.D.), a court poet of Cikkadevaraja who is accredited with more than thirty works in Kannada has rendered several mahatmyas appearing in the Sanskrit Puranas like Bhavisyottara, Brahmanda, Naradiya etc. into Kannada mostly in prose and campu forms. He rendered the whole of Visnupurana into Kannada in prose as well as in prose-verse form. Other proteges of Cikkadevaraja like Timmakavi (1677 A.D.) and Mallikarjuna (1678 A.D.) rendered into Kannada the mahatmyas found in Naradiyapurana, Brahmandapurana etc. Mummadikrsnaraja has written more than fifty works in Kannada and thus stands unique among the kings of Mysore. He was responsible for rendering The Sankarasamhitamany Sanskrit works into Kannada. vivarana of the Skanda-purana, Vivarana of the Adhyatmaramayana of the Brahmanda-purana, Devimahatmya and other puranic works were written by him. Kalale Nanjaraja (about 1740 A. D.) is another prolific writer. He was the minister and Senapati of Immadi-Krsnaraja, the King of Mysore during 1734- 1766 A. D. He has rendered into Kannada a number of mahatmyas found in the Sanskrit Skanda-purana, Bhavisyottarapurana, Padma-purana and so on. Of all the Kings of Mysore it is Sri Jayacamarajendra Odeyar, the present Governor of Mysore, who did a great deal

150 puranam- PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 1 in the direction of getting rendered into Kannada most of the Sanskrit puranas besides other works like Yogavasistha, Anandaramayana, Adhyatmaramayana, Sivarahasya, Upanisad-bhasya, Bhagavadgita-bhasya, Rgveda and many other religious works. These works have been translated into Kannada by various living scholars and published under the series "Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala" in Mysore. The unique feature of these works is that the sanskrit text is given in the Kannada script and then follows the translation in prose, It is thus seen that from 16th century onwards the Sanskrit Puranas attracted a number of Kannada writers who rendered many of them into Kannada either completely or in sections. At least the two great Puranas Bhagavata and the Visnupurana had great effect on the writers in the early part of the 16th and 17th centuries and they have been completely rendered into Kannada. We shall presently deal in detail with the main Puranas, Upapuranas or their sections which were rendered into Kannada. THE SKANDA-PURANA. This Purana has attracted the mass with its innumberable mahatmyas and sthalapuranas. Obviously these were rendered into Kannada by several authors. The Descriptive Catalogues of Kannada Mss. of the Government Oriental Mss. Library, Madras, Oriental Research Institute, Mysore and the Karnataka Kavi Carite of Sri R. Narasimhacharya mention several such portions rendered into Kannada from the great Skanda-purana. Sanandacaritre told by Nandi to Sanat Kumara which forms part of Skanda-purana was rendered into Kannada by Kumarapadmarasa at the bidding of his father Kereya Padmarasa as far back as 1180 A. D. It contains in all 791 Satpadis and 2 Ragales MD (K.) No. 214 is a rendering of the Brahmottarakhanda of the Skanda-purana in Bhaminisatpadi metre whose author has not been mentioned. It contains 31 sections called sandhis. The prose version of the BrahmottaraBa 3a. Karnataka Kavi Carite by R. Narasimhacarya, Vol. I, pp. 277-278; also see Kannada Sahitya Caritre by R. S. Mugali, P. 194. 151 Jan., 1964] KANNADA VERSIONS OF THE PURANAS khanda is by Camaraja (son of Narasaraja), a King of Mysore during 1617-1637 A. D. It is called Maniprakasa (vide. MD (K.) No. 217 and the K. K. C. vol. II, p. 361). Adhyayas 2-8 of the ms. are complete and the beginning of the 1st Adhyaya and the end of the 9th Adhyaya are wanting. Mys. D. Nos. 1080 and 1081, however, contain 22 Adhyayas. The "Classified Catalogue of Kannada printed works and Mss. in the Government Oriental Library, Mysore" (ptd. in 1921) shows the Brahmottarakhanda of Camaraja as printed at Bangalore. Bhaktavilasadarpana [MD. (K.) No. 218] is the Kannada version of Sivabhaktamahatmya by Kalale Nanjaraja. It contains chapters 21-90 complete and Ch. 20 incomplete. Mys. D. No. 1093 is another Ms. of the same work which is incomplete. K. K. C. (vol. II. p. 46) refers to Bhaktavilasadarpana as a translation of the 90th Adhyaya of the Skanda-purana. MD. (K.) No. 242 is a rendering in prose of the Sanskrit Sivadharmottara which forms part of the Skanda-purana. The author is Kalale Nanjaraja. It is complete in 65 Adhyayas. MD (K) Nos. 243-246 are the same work by the same author but are incomplete. Sankastaharacaturthivrata [MD (K.) No. 249 and 250 (inc.)] is a rendering in prose of the Sanskrit Sankastaharacaturthivrata mahatmya of the same Purana by Kalale Nanjaraja. Garalapurimahatmya [MD (K.) No. 253, 254 and also see Mys. D. Nos. 396 and 397] is a rendering in prose of the Sanskrit Garalapuri, now called Nanjangudu, a centre of pilgrimage, is near Mysore on the bank of the river Kapila. Halasyamahatmya [MD (K.) No. 275 and 276 (inc.) 277 inc.)] is a translation in prose of the Sanskrit Halasyamahatmya found in Agastyasamhita of Skanda-purana. The author is Kalale Nanjaraja. It contains 71 Adhyayas. The 64 lilas of Sundaresvara of Madura are told here. First, there are 15 verses in Bhaminisatpadi metre and then follows the prose. The work is also called Nanjarajavanivilasa. The "Classified Catalogue of Kannada printed works and Mss. in the Oriental Library, Mysore", mentions one Halasyamahatmya by S. G. Narasimhachar as printed at Mysore¹. A recent translation of 4. vide p. 7.

152 puranam -- PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 1 this work is by Sri S. Sitarama Sastri, published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala in three parts as No. 29 in the series. It has been printed in Sri Vinayaka Printing works, Mysore, in 1946. Another work of Kalale Nanjaraja is Dhundivinayaka-nacaritre [MD (K.) No. 278]. It is a free rendering in prose describing the story of Dhundivinayaka according to the Sanskrit Skanda-purana. The descriptive Catalogue of Kannada Mss. in the Oriental Research Institute, Mysore, mentions two more works of Kalale Naujaraja. They are Kakudgirimahatmya and Kasimahimarthadarpana (Mys. D. Nos. 198, 199 and 296 to 301). The former contains 20 Adhyayas in prose. The editor, however, remarks that this is a translation of the Sanskrit slokas occuring in 12 Adhyayas of Tirthakhanda and 6 Adhyayas of the Kalyanakhanda of the Skanda-purana and 2 Adhyayas of Tirthakhanda of the Bhavisyottara-purana. The other work Kasimahimarthadarpana in prose is a rendering of the mahima of Kasi as told in Skanda-purana. Mys. D. No. 298 and 301 contain 100 Adhyayas and Mys. D. Nos. 299 and 300 together make 100 Adhyayas. Others are incomplete. The same catalogue mentions Kaverimahatmya in verse (Mys. D. No. 288) being a translation into Kannada of the Sanskrit slokas of Kaverimahatmya, a part of Skanda-purana by one Ranga of about 1730 A.D. Mys. D.No.289 is a tika (word to word meaning) in Kannada prose of the Sanskrit slokas of Kaverimahatmya by Srinivasadasa. Kasikhanda of Mummadi Krsnaraja, a king of Mysore is a Kannada version of the same name found in Skanda-purana. It is in prose and contains 100 [Adhyayas. It is available in print. Published in 1908 by Gundlupandit Lakshmanacharya, Manager, Aryamatagrantha pravardhinisabha, it has been printed in Kanyakaparamesvari Press, Mysore. The titles of the 100 the Adhyayas generally agree with the 100 Adhyayas of Sanskrit text. Another work of the King is Sankara-samhite, a vivarana in Kannada of the work of the same name in Sanskrit 5. A Descriptive catalogue of Kannada Mss. in the Oriental Research Institute, Mysore, Vol. I see, D. No. 199. KANNADA VERSIONS OF THE PURANAS 153 Jan., 1964] Skanda-purana. It has been divided into 7 kandas namely, Sambhava, Asura, Viramahendra, Yuddha, Deva, Daksa and Upadesa." Kukke subrahmanyaksetramathatmya found in Kaumarikakhanda of the first Mahesvarakhanda of Skanda-purana has been rendered into Kannada prose by Sri Nelli Lakshminarayanabhatta. The first part containing Adhyayas 1-33, available to us, was published by the Manager, Board of Administration, Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple, Subrahmanya, South Kanara in 1953. This contains Sanskrit text in Kannada script followed by Kannada translation. Kannada rendering of all important stanzas connected with the Udupi-ksetra and found in the Rupyapitha-mahatmya of Skanda-purana has been done by one Srinivasabhatta of Udupi. It has been published by P. Guru Rao, Sriman Madhva Siddhantagranthalaya, Udupi, in 1932. In his introduction to Kannada Version of Kedarakhanda, Sri M. S. subrahmanya Sastri, the author, writes that he has rendered Skanda-purana into Kannada prose in 12 parts." His two books Kedarakhanda and Kaumarikakhanda (available to us) have respectively been printed in B.B. Power Press, Aralepet, Bangalore, in 1928 with 35 Adhyayas and in Universal Power Press, Bangalore, in 1930 with 43 Adhyayas. The Samhita and the Khanda portions of Skanda-purana have been translated into Kannada by various authors and published in separate series in Sri Jaya-camarajendra Grantharatnamala. These are recent translations. The Khandatmaka Skanda-purana has been translated by Asthana Vidvan Motaganahalli Subrahmanya Sastri. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala in 27 volume as series No. 14, it has been printed in Bangalore Press, Mysore Road, Bangalore, between 1944 and 1954. 6. Karnataka Kavi carite by R. Narasimhacarya vol. III. p. 177. 7. Vide M. S. Subrahmanya astri's introduction to Kedarakhanda of Skandapurana. 20

154 puranam- PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 1 The Sankarasamhita has been translated by Asthana Vidvan Sri H. P. Venkata Rao and the Sutasamhita by Asthana Vidvan Edatore Candrasekhara Sastri. They have been published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala in 6 6 volumes and 4 volumes as series No. 45 and 22 respectively. The Sanskrit text of Sankarasamhita has been prepared with the help of talapatra ms. available in the Oriental Library, Mysore and printed edition in grantha character. The Sutasamhita has been printed in Sri Panchacharya Electric Press, Mysore in 1945 and the Sankarasamhita in Sri Chamundeswari Electric Press, Mysore, between 1947-48. Sivatattvasudhanidhi from Sanatkumarasambita has been translated by S. Sitarama Sastri. This contains Sanskrit text and a Sanskrit commentary called Cintamanivyakhya by Srinivasadiksita, printed in Kannada script. Then follows the Kannada translation in prose. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala in 3 parts as series No. 53 it has been printed in two different presses in Mysore in 1949. THE LINGA-PURANA. The life of the famous 63 Sivabhaktas told by Upamanyumani to Kanada as found in the Linga-purana was written in Kannada in prose-verse form by Surangakavi, a Virasaiva poet, in 63 asvasas as far back as 1500 A. D. Kalale Naujaraja, however, rendered into Kannada prose the Sanskrit Linga-purana, in two parts, Purvabhaga and Uttarabhaga. The former contains 108 Adhyayas and the latter 50 Adhyayas complete and 51st incomplete in a ms. [MD (K.) No. 234] according to the Catalogue of Kannada Mss. in the Government Oriental Mss. Library Madras. Another ms. according to the same catalogue [MD (K.) No. 234] contains 108 Adhyayas in the Purvabhaga and 50 Adhyayas in the Uttarabhaga. The catalogue of Kannada Mss. in the Oriental Research Institute, Mysore, shows two Mss.. (Mys. D. Nos. 1491 and 1492) of the same work of Kalale Naujaraja in two parts. 8. Karna aka Kavi Carite by R. Narasimhacarya, Vol. II p. 161. Jan., 1964] KANNADA VERSIONS OF THE PURANAS 155 A more recent translation of the Sanskrit Linga is by Asthana Vidvan Sri Candrasekhara Sastri. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Granthartnamala in 6 parts as series No. 19, it has been printed in Bangalore Press Branch, Mysore, between 1945-1947. THE BHAGAVATA-PURANA The whole of the Bhagavata-purana in its 12 skandhas has been rendered into Kannada in Bhaminisatpadi metre by Catuvithalanatha, also known as Nityatmasukayogin. His real name appears to be Sadanandayogin. He appears to have written this great work during the rule of Acyutaraya, the King of vijayanagar (1530-1542 A.D.). His Bhagavata has been divided into 280 sections called Sandhis and contains 12235 verses. The Descriptive Catalogue of Kannada mauuscripts in the Government Oriental Mss. Library, Madras, Volume II, shows a number of Mss. of Bhagavata of Nityatmasukayogin [vide MD (K.) Nos. 139-190] but none of them contains all the twelve skandhas. They are rather scattered over a number of Mss. The Descriptive Catalogue of Kannada Mss. in the Oriental Research Institute, Mysore, however, contains a manuscript (vide Mys. D. No. 1P 36) with the 12 skandhas complete. The same catalogue shows another manuscript (vide Mys. D. No. 1135) with 1-4 skandhas in prose by one Narayana. other unknown authors have rendered in Sangatya metre (MD (K.) No. 191 and vacana (MD. (K.) Nos. 192-196). Some Mss. show under different captions either a portion of the work taken from the Kannada Bhagavata of Nityatmasukayogin or a portion of the Sanskrit Bhagavata rendered into Kannada separately by the author. Thus MD (K.) No. 203 entitled Gajendramoksa is a poem in Bhaminisatpadi metre which is in fact a portion of the Kannada Bhagavata of Nityatmasukayogin. MD (K.) No. 252 entitled Hariharacaritra is a poem in Kannada in the Bhaminisatpadi metre describing the story of Hariharacaritra found in the Sanskrit Bhagavata by the same author. Mys. D. No. 24 is Ajamilacarite in Bhaminisatpadi metre being Kannada version of the 6th skandha of Bhagavata by the same 9. Karnataka Kavi Carite of Sri R. Narasimhacharya vol. II, p. 223.

156 puranam-- PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 1 author. The Bhagavata of Nityatmasukayogin is available in print. The first edition contains all the 12 skandhas in one book. Edited by some pandits, it has been published by T. N. Krishnaiah Setty, Book Depot Proprietor, Chikkapet, Bangalore, having been printed at the Rajeshvari Press, Bangalore in 1911. The second editson is in two parts. Edited by Sri M. V. Sastri, both the parts have been printed by Sri T. N. Krishnayyasetty in Sri Venktesa Press, Arcot Srinivasacharlu Street, Bangalore, in 1926. The first part contains the first nine skandhas and the second part tenth to twelfth skandhas. On comparing it is seen that the Kannada Bhagavata is a free rendering of the original text in Sanskrit. The division of the sections does not correspond to the Sanskrit text. In some places there is condensation as well as elaboration. For example, while the Sanskrit text makes only a reference to the arrival of Narada in the 4th Adhyaya of the 1st Skandha, this has been described in 3 complete verses in the Kannada Bhagvata. A special feature of the latter is that a verse in Tripadi purports the gist of each Adhyaya in the beginning. On the whole, the author mostly follows the Sanskrit text. We find different portions of the Sanskrit Bhagavata in Kannada version by different authors one such portion is Prahladacaritre told by Suka to Pariksit in Bhagavata. It is in Bhaminisatpadi metre containing 17 sandhis and 1,111 verses.10 author is Narahari of about 1650 A. D. Krsnalilabhyudaya* of Venkayarya, a Madhva poet of about 1650 A. D., is the story of 10th skandha of Bhagavata containing 51 sandhis and 2,543 The 10. The author of K. K. C. says that another ms. reads 16 sandhis and 1114 verses Vide. Vol. II, P. 432 f. n. The Descriptive Catalogue of Kannada Mss. in the Oriental Research Institute, Mysore, shows 7 Mss. of Prahladacaritre by Narahari of about 1650 A. D. Vide. Mys. D. Nos. 980-986. Two Mss. (Mys. D. Nos. 983-984) call this Prahlada Bharata. But from a stanza in Tripadi in the beginning of the work in two Mss. (Mys. D. Nos. 985 and 986) this appears to be, in all probability, the same work referred by the author of K. K. C. Some of these Mss. contain, however, 16 sandhis and 17 sandhis and different No. of verses. 157 KANNADA VERSIONS OF THE PURANAS Jan., 1964] Cikadevarajasuktivilasa by verses in Bhaminisatpadi metre. Cikkadevaraja, the famous King of Mysors (1672-1704 A. D.) is a tika in Kannada prose of the Sanskrit Bhagavata. Krsnakarnamrta* of Krsna of about 1700 A. D. is the story of the 10th skandha of the Sanskrit Bhagavata. An incomplete ms. available to the author of Karnataka Kavi Carite contained 10 satakas and a few verses in the 11th sataka in Bhaminisatpadi metre." Krsnarajavanivilasa is tika in Kannada of the Bhagavata conforming to the Sanskrit Sridhariyavyakhya by Mummadi Krsnaraja, King of Mysore (1894-1868 A. D.). A more recent rendering of Bhagavata into Kannada prose (vacana) is by Pandita Devasikhamani Alasingaracarya. It is available in print in 8 volumes, published as No. 2, in the Ananda Karnataka Granthamala and printed in Ananda Printing Press, Madras (2nd Edn. 1918). The author has closely followed the Sanskrit text of Bhagavata and the titles of the Adhyayas also generally correspond to those of the Sanskrit Bhagavatam. Another rendering of this work is by Sri K. V. Srikantha Sastri, Retired Sanskrit Teacher, Anandavana, Agadi. It is published by Sri Y. G. Kulakarni, Editor, Sadbodhacandrike, Anandavana, Agadi and printed in Sri Sesacala Printing Press , Anandavana, Agadi. It is available in three parts the first, second and the third parts having been printed in 1919, 1922 and 1924 respectively. The "Classified Catalogue of Kannada Printed Works and Mss." in the Government Oriental Library, Mysore (ptd. in 1921), shows under the printed works, the following a Bhagavata of Nityatmakavi in verse printed at Bangalore. "5th and 6th Skand has by Ramasesa Sastri. 4th Skandha -do- -do- 1-3 Skandhas by Krishnaraja Odeyar. 4-5 6-9 -do- -do- (details not given). -do- Printed at Bangalore. 11. Karnataka Kavi carite of Sri R. Narasimhacarya, Vol. II, 540.

158 puranam - PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 1 6-7-8-9 Skandhas by Krishnaraja Odeyar printed at Bangalore. 10th skandha printed at Bangalore. 11th and 12th skandhas by Krishnaraja Odeyar printed at Bangalore. THE ADITYA-PURANA (SAURA-PURANA) Aditya-purana or Saura-purana which forms part of Brahmopapurana has been written in Bhaminisatpadi metre by an unknown author who styles himself "Kaviraja-kanthirava" [vide. MD (K.) Nos. 200 and 201 and Mys. D. Nos. 122 to 125]. The author of Karnataka Kavi Carite, however, calls him Ramacandragurusisya since he eulogises H. H. Sri Ramachandra Bharati of Sringeri Mutt and calls himself his pupil. His date is therefore about 1550 A. D. It contains 48 sandhis. The author says that this work is Sivakavya called Sivakathamrta and that the hero is Kasi Visvanatha. A portion of this work has for the first time, been published in 1951, with the first 18 sandhis by Asthana Vidvan Sri B. Sivamurtisastri under Sarapasahityamala as series No. 13 and printed in Svatantra Karnataka Power Press, Rangasvami Temple Street, Bangalore 2. The text has been prepared with the help of a palm-leaf ms. available with Sri Venkataramana Holla which contains 48 sandhis and 2666 verses. This publication is, however, an abridgment carried out by Sri K. Venkatarayacar of Suratkal, South Kanara, The Sanskrit Saurapurana has been translated into Kannada prose by Asthana Vidvan H. Gangadhara Sastri. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala as series No. 24 in two parts, it has been printed in Sri Vinayaka Printing works, Mysore, in 1945. THE PADMA-PURANA Portions of Padma-purana have been rendered into Kannada by a few authors. Tirumalabhatta of about 1600 A. D. wrote 12. Karnataka Kavi Carite by R. Narasimhacarya, vol. II pp. 260.261. KANNADA VERSIONS OF THE PURANAS 159 It Jan., 1964] the Kannada version of the Sanskrit Sivagita of Padma-purana It contains 16 sandhis and 377 in Vardhikasatpadi metre. verses. 19 Sivagita has also been rendered into Kannada Prose by Kalale Nanjaraja [vid. MD (K.) No. 241]. Another rendering of Sivagita in prose is by Sri Bhasyam Tirumalacarya. contains Sanskrit text in Kannada script besides the translation. Published by Karnataka prakasikapustakasala, Bangalore, it has been printed by K.S. Krishna Ayyar, Irish Press, Bangalore, in 1911, It contains 16 Adhyayas. A prose work in Kannada narrating the greatness of chastity by an unknown author is from the 16th Adhyaya in Vasistha-Dilipasamvada of Padma-purana [MD (K.) No. 211]*. The Descriptive Catalogue of Kannada Mss. in the Oriental Research Institute, Mysore, shows a Ms. (Mys. D. No. 829) whose title is Pativratadharma. This deals with the same subject-matter as ML. (K.) No. 211 and forms a part of Padma-purana. The author and date are not known. The same catalogue shows another ms. (Mys, D. No. 834), which is incomplete and is a prose (tika) version of Padma-purana by Cikkupadhyaya. The Kandapadya in the beginning corroborates this. The Uttarakhanda of the Padma-purana in Kannada by an unknown author is the subject-matter of MD. (K.) No. 212.* It deals with the procedure to be adopted in branding the top of the arms of Srivaisnavas with heated metallic diagrams resembling Visnu's Conch and discus and also deals with Urdhvapundradharana etc. Puskarakhanda, a prose version in Kannada narrating the story of Puskarkhanda of the Padma-purana is by It contains an unknown author [vide. MD (K.) No. 213]. 3-25 Adhyayas complete which are mostly condensed. A recent translation of the Padma-purana is by Sri Beladakere Suryanarayana Sastri. It is in Kannada prose and has been published in 22 volumes in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala series as No. 16. These parts have been printed between 1944 and 1946 in different presses in Mysore, The Sivagita forming a part of Padma-purana with its 16 Adhyayas 13. Karnataka Kavi Carite, vol. II pp. 317-318.

160 puranam - PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 1 has been translated into Kannada separately by Asthana Vidvan Sri H. Gangadharasastri. This, again, has been published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala as series No. 2. It has been printed in Sri Sharada Press, Mysore, in 1950. THE NARADIYA-PURANA. A few mahatmyas from this Purana have been rendered into Kannada by the well-known Kannada writers. Cikkupadhyaya rendered the Sanskrit Yadugirimahatmya forming part of the Naradiya-purana into Kannada prose at the instance of Cikkadevaraja, King of Mysore. It is complete in 12 Adhyayas [vide. MD (K.) Nos. 260 and 261]. Yadugiri, now known as Melukote is in the Mysore District. The same mahatmya has been written in Sangatya metre by Cikkupadhyaya. It contains 12 sandhis and 1219 verses [vide MD (K.) No. 263 and also K. K. C. vol. II P. 482]. Another rendering of this mahatmya is by Timmakavi who wrote this at the instance of Cikkadevraja, King of Mysore (1672-1704 A. D.). It is in prose-verse form. It is complete in 12 Asvasas [vide MD (K.) No. 266]. The Karnatakakavi Carite states that this work contains 16 Asvasas and that the first four Asvasas deal with the description of the genealogy of Cikkadevaraja etc., after which the story proper Commences 14. Besides, Mys. D. No. 1375 which is the same work contains 16 Asvasas (see also Mys. D. Nos. 1376 to 78). So it appears that the scribe who wrote MD (K.) No. 266 would have omitted to copy the first four Asvasas. Another ms. of this work [MD (K.) No. 267] by an unknown author contains Adhyayas 1-11 complete and the 12th incomplete. It consists of Sanskrit stanzas with Kannada commentary. Yadavagirimahatmya of Venkataryasisya of about 1700 A. D., is a poem in Bhaminisatpadi metre. The author of K. K. C. says that an incomplete ms. of this work got by him contained only 10 Sandhis 15. But of the two Mss. available in the Oriental 14. Karnataka Kavi Carite by R. Narasimhacarya, vol. II, p. 493. 15. Karnataka Kavi Carite by R. Narasimhacarya, vol. II p. 545. 161 Jan., 1964] Research Institutes, Mysore, one contains 13 Sandhis while the other is incomplete (vide. Mys. D. Nos. 1372, 1373). KANNADA VERSIONS OF THE PURANAS Rukmangadacarite * of Laksmakavi of 1723 A. D. in Vardhikasatpadi metre is the story of the Ekadasi-mahatmya told by Vasistha to Mandhata in NaradiyaPurana. It contains 17 Sandhis and 953 verses. It has also been written in proseverse form by Cikkupadhyaya. It contains 10 Asvasas and 2286 verses [vide MD (K.) No. 219 and K. K. C. Vol. II. P. 475]. The Naradiya-Purana has been translated into Kannada prose by Sri Vasudevacarya of Doddaballapur. Published by Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala in 10 parts as series No. 39, it has been printed in Chamundesvari Electric Press, Mysore, between 1946 and 1948. At the end of each Adhyaya the author gives the gist. THE BHAVISYOTTARA-PURANA. Portions of this Purana dealing with the mahatmyas have been rendered into Kannada. The Kannada version of Kamalacalamahatyma is by Cikkupadhyaya. It is the mahatmya of Himavadgopalasvami hill or Kamalacala found in the Tirthakanda of the Bhavisyottara-purana (Mys. D. Nos. 225 and 226). It is in prose-verse form It contains 16 Asvasas, 2591 Kandas, 1161 Vrttas and 276 Vacanas (K, K. C. vol. II. P, 471). Prose-version of the same Purana is by Gopalaraja of about 1740 A. D. It is also called "Gopalabhupaloktivilasa". It contains 9 Adhyayas. The syamantakopakhyana forming part of the BhavisyottaraPurana has been rendered into Kannada by the famous Kalale Nanjaraja [MD (K.) No. 251]. Another work of the same author is Haradattacaryamahatmya, a translation into Kannada of the Sanskrit Haradattacaryacaritra of Bhavisyottara-Purana.16 in Dhanurmasamahima of this Purana has been written * Kannada by Venkataramasastri of Devandahalli, a protege of Mummadikrsnaraja, a King of Mysore." 16. Karnataka Kavi Carite by R. Narasimhacarya, Vol. III, P. 46. 17. ibid, P. 183. 21

162 puranam -- PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 1 THE BRAHMANDA-PURANA were Several mahatmyas appearing in the Brahmanda-puranaattracted many Kannada writers. Some of them translated into Kannada. Cikkupadhyaya, a celebrated writer in Kannada, wrote the Pascimarangadhama-mahatmya, a poem in Sangatya metre describing the story of the same name found in Brahmanda-purana. It contains 5 sandhis and 317 verses [MD (K.) No. 257]. This is in the form of Samvada between Sankara and Narada. The place Pascimaranga or Srirangapatna is near Mysore- on the banks of the river Kaveri. The prose version of the same mahatmya [MD (K.) No. 258) is by an unknown author. It contains 1-4 Adhyayas complete and the 5th Adhyaya incomplete. Venkatagirimahatmya [MD (K.) No. 269] by Cikkupadhyaya is a free rendering in prose of the Tirupatimahima told by Narada to Bhrgu, under Punyaksetramahatmyakhanda of Brahmanda-purana. It is complete in 10 Asvasas. The same mahatmya has been written in prose-verse form by Timmakavi of 1677 A.D.* It contains 10 Asvasas, 190 Kandas, 285 Vrttas and 31 Vacanas. The author is a protege of the Mysore King Cikkudevaraja who ruled during 1672-1704. Cikkupadhyaya's another work is Kancimahatmya also called Hastigirimahatmya found in the Tirthakanda of Brahmanda purana. It is in prose-verse form and contains 18 Asvasas and 1174 verses 19. Stirangamahatmya [MD (K.) No. 270] is a fee rendering in prose of the same name found in Brahmanda-purana by Cikkupadhyaya. It is complete in 10 sections. A prose-verse form of this mahatmya is by Mallikarjuna (1678 A.D.), a Brahmin poet and a protege of Cikkadevaraja, a King of Mysore during 1672 1704 A.D.20 The editor of the Descriptive catalogue of Kannada Mss. in the Government Oriental Mss. Library, Madras, thinks that MD (K.) No. 272 may be the work of Mallikarjuna referred to by the author of the K.K.C. pp. 18. Karnataka Kavi Carite by R. Narasimhacarya Vol. II. 596-497. 19. ibid. pp. 473-474. 20. ibid. pp. 498-499. Jan., 1964] 163 in view of certain similarties found between this ms, and the portions cited in the K.K.C. A prose version of this mahatmya is by one Rangacarya [MD (K.) No. 273 (inc)]. This incomplete ms. contains 10 paricchedas and dates back to Salivahanasaka 1585. Another prose version of the same mahatmya is by Singaracarya who says that he was the tutor to Bettada Camaraja Odeyar, king of Mysore in 1507 A. D. [vide. MD. (K.) No. 274]. It is complete in 10 Asvasas. The Sanskrit Bhadragirimahatmya forming part of the Brahmanda-purana has been rendered into Kannada prose by Kalale Nanjaraia. It is complete in 16 Adhyayas [vide. MD (K.) No. 259]. KANNADA VERSIONS OF THE PURANAS The Devangacaritra found in the Brahmandapurana has been written* in Sangatya metre by one Deva of about 1725 A. D. It contains 13 Sandhis and 1380 verses. Adhyatma Ramayana in Kannada is a vivarana of the Sanskrit Adhyatma Ramayana which is in the form of samvada between Uma and Mahesvara in Brahmanda-purana. The author is Mumadi Krsnaraja, a king of Mysore, during 1774-1868 A.D. It contains 7 kandas, 65 sargas.22 A recent translation of the Brahmanda-purana into Kannada prose is by Asthana Vidvan Sri Patanakar Chandrasekharabhatta of the University of Mysore. Published in 5 parts in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala as No. 17, in the series, it has been printed in Mysore Printing and Publishing House, Mysore between 1945-1946. Kancimahatmya forming part of Brahmanda-purana has been separately translated by the same author and published in the same series as No. 18 having been printed in Camundesvari Electric Press, Mysore, in 1945. THE VISNU-PURANA The Visnu-purana has been rendered into Kannada in prose as also in prose-verse form by the reputed writer Laksmipati More than 30 major popularly known as Cikkupadhyaya. 21. Karnataka Kavi Carite by R. Narasimhacarya Vol. III p. 37. 22. Ibid. p. 177.

164 puranam - PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 1 Kannada works stand to his credit, most of them being on Puranas. He was a minister and Court poet of Cikkadevaraja Odeyar who ruled Mysore during 1672-1740 A. D. A Srivaisnava poet, Cikkupadhyaya was an erudite scholar of scripture and literature with a command over Sanskrit and Kannada languages. The first, fourth and the fifth amsas of the prose version (available to us) have been edited by Sri M. A. Ramanuja Ayyangar, the then Asst. Master, Maharani's College, Mysore and printed and published by the Karnataka Kavyakalanidhi publishers, Mysore, as Nos. 45, 36 and 30, respectively in the series. The first amsa was printed in 1914 at Srinivasa printing Press, Mysore and the fourth and fifth amsas at G. T. A. Press, Mysore, in 1911 and 1910 respectively. The Adhyayas of these three amsas correspond to the 22, 24, and 38 Adhyayas of the Sanskrit text respectively. The rendering is faithful. A manuscript containing the prose-verse form of Kannada version of the Visnu-purana by Cikkupadhyaya is noticed in the catalogue of Kannada Mss. in the Government Oriental Mss. Library Madras [vide. MD (K.) No. 238.] It contains 6 amsas, 32 Asvasas and 6255 verses. This manuscript and another ms. available at the Oriental Research Institute, Mysore, have been utilised in preparing the edition of the 5th amsa of the Visnu-purana" by the editors, Prof. M. Mariappa Bhat and the late Sri M. Govinda Rao of the Madras University. It has been published by the University of Madras in the Kannada series as No. 14 in 1957. Of the six amsas of the prose-verse version, it appears, the 5th amsa alone is available in print. The 38 Adhyayas of this amsa are dealt with in 13 Asvasas in the Kannada version. The faithful rendering into Kannada of the Sanskrit Visnupurana has been applauded by Sri M. A. Ramanuja Ayyangar in the following words: Those who wish to learn the art of 23 24 23. Vide a Descriptive catalogue of the Kannada Mss. in the Govt. Oriental Mss. Library, Madras, vol. II p. 389. 24. "Sri Visnu-purana by Cikkupadhyaya" edited by Prof. Mariappa Bhat and Sri M. Govinda Rao, see preface p. 10. 165 KANNADA VERSIONS OF THE PURANAS Jan., 1964] translating the Sanskrit works (into Kannada) would do well to compare this work with its original in Sanskrit."25 All the six amsas of the Vishnu-purana have been rendered into Kannada prose by one Ubhaya vedantapravartaka Sri Yajnanarayanadiksita of Santigrama near Hassan in Mysore State and published by Sri S. Srinivasa Ayyangar, Retired Engineer, (Bombay), Dharwar in 1928 having been printed in the Universal Power Press, Sultanpet, Bangalore. The Prathamammsa rendered into Kannada by one Panyam Sundarasastri (Pandit, St. Joseph College, Bangalore) has been published by Sri B. Adinarayana Sastri as No. 10, of the Vidyanandagranthamala, Vidyananda Office, Shankarapuram, Bangalore, in 1914. It contains 22 Adhyayas and has been printed by Sri K. S. Krishna Ayyar, Irish Press, Bangalore. The original Sanskrit text in Kannada script is given first and then follows the prose translation. A more recent translation of this purana into Kannada is by Pandit Ganjam Timmannayya. The Sanskrit text has been given first in Kannada script and then follows the translation . It has been printed in three parts in Sri Vinayaka Printing Press in 1948 and published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala series as No. 49, THE AGNEYA-PURANA Tulakaverimahatmye [MD (K.) No. 256] is a rendering in prose of the story of Tulakaverimahatmya as found in the Sanskrit Agneya-purana by Caluvambike, the wife ot Dodda Krsnaraja, King of Mysore during 1713-1731 A. D. It is also called Caluvambikavanivilasa. It is complete in 30 Adhyayas. From a sloka at the end of the work, it appears that one Srinivasa wrote this in the name of Celuvambike.26 25. Vide M. A. Ramanuja Ayyangar's introduction to the 5th amsa of prose version of the Visnu-purana of Cikkupadhyaya. 26. maudgalyanvayadugdhasindhurajanikantena punyatmana srivasakhyavipascita janijusa srivenkatarthada bhuvi | vyakhyanam va tulakaveranrpajalilamahinah krtam karnatoktimayam param vijayatamasetu haimacalam || Vide. K. K. C., Vol. III, p. 25, f. n.

166 puranam - PURANA THE BRAHMOTTARA-PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 1 Jan., 1964] Brahmottarakhanda of Mahadeva, a Virasaiva poet of about 1725 A. D. is a translation in Kannada of the Sanskrit Brahmottara-purana. It is in Bhaminisatpadi metre. The Sadaksaramahima, Vibhutimahima, Rudraksamahima, Puranasravanamahima, the mahima of Vratas like Sivaratri etc., worship of Sivayogins etc. are told here. It contains 32 sandhis, 1898 verses, here and there Ragle, Vrtta and some prose. 27 According to a ms. in the Descriptive Catalogue of Kannada Mss. in the Kannada Research Institute, Dharwar, Volume IV, this work contains 32 sandhis and 1896 verses. The author of Karnatakakavicarite in the footnote mentions another ms. which reads 31 sandhis and 1945 verses. 38 This is perhaps the same as Mys. D. No. 1074, which contains the same No. of sandhis and verses. Mys. D. Nos. 1075-1079 being the same work contain 31 sandhis but different No. of verses. 28 THE MARKANDEYA-PURANA Devimahatmya of Cidanandavadhuta (about 1750 A.D.) is in Bhaminisatpadi metre. It is a translation of the Sanskrit version of the same name (Mys. D. No. 683). It contains 18 sandhis and 796 verses.99 The Classified Catalogue of Kannada printed works and Mss. in the Government Oriental Library, Mysore (1921), shows under printed works, a Devimahatmya in Bhaminisatpadi metre by one Cidanandasv. min, printed in Ratuakara Press, Madras.30 Devimahatmya by Mummadikrsnaraja, King of Mysore (1794-1868 A. D.) in prose (Mys. D. No. 681) is Dvimahatmyaprakasaka saptasati-mahamantrartha found in the Markandeya-purana. The whole of Markandeya purana has been translated into Kannada prose by Asthana Vidvan Sri Patanakar Candrasekhara- 27. Karnatakakavicarite by R. Narasimhacarya, Vol. III, pp. 33-34. 28. Ibid. see f. n. 29. Karnataka Kavi Carite by R. Narasimhacarya, Vol. III. P. 79. 30. Classified Catalogue of Kannada Printed works and Mss. in the Government Oriental Library, Mysore (1921) p. 2. KANNADA VERSIONS OF THE PURANAS 167 bhatta of the University of Mysore. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala as series No. 57 in 4 parts, it has been printed in Sri Pancacarya Electric Press, Mysore, in 1953 and 1954. THE BHAVISYA-PURANA The author of Karnataka Kavi Carite notes a work called Amasomavaravrata forming part of Bhavisya-purana rendered into Kannada by Venkatarama Sastri of about 1823 A. D., a protege of Mummadi Krsnaraja, King of Mysore during 1794-1868 A.D. The author appears to have rendered this at the instance of the queen Laksmammanni. 31 The whole of Bhavisya-purana has been translated into Kannada by Asthana Vidvan Sri B. Cannakesavayya. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala in 13 parts as series No. 36, it has been printed in Basavesvara Electric Press, Mysore, Between 1946-1952. THE NARASIMHA-PURANA Prahladacaritra forming part of Nrsimha-purana has a tika in Kannada by Ranganatha Sastri of about 1849 A.D. The tika is called Vidvatpratosini (vide Mys. D. No. 988 and K.K.C. Vol. III, p. 197). A complete translation of this Purana is by Asthana Vidvan Sri N. V. Padmanabhacariar. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala as series No. 51, in 3 parts, it has been printed in Sri Vinayaka Printing Works, Mysore, in 1949. The author gives the gist at the end of each Adhyaya. THE DEVIBHAGAVATA-MAHAPURANA According to an information found on the covering page of the printed book "Sivapurana" by Ronuru Venkatarama Sastri printed and published by Sri T. K. Krishnaswami Setty, Kalanidhi Press, Bangalore, in 1920, the Devibhagavata in Kannada prose with its 12 Skandhas is available in print. Sri Saligrama Sri 31, Karnataka Kavi Carite by R. Narasimhacarya, Vol. III p. 183,

168 puranam- PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 1 Kantha Sastri, the author of Kannada Version of the Sanskrit Sankaravijaya in a note at the beginning of his work, refers to a Devibhagavata in Kannada verse form with 14050 verses in Bhaminisatpadi metre written in the name of "Tripurasundari Devi" perhaps by himself.32 All the 12 skandhas of this purana have been translated into Kannada by Edatore Candrasekhara Sastri. The author has followed the Sanskrit Commentary "Tilaka" by Nilakantha. Published in 11 parts in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala as series No.5, this Purana was printed in Sri Paucacarya Electric Press, Mysore, between 1942 and 1945. THE SIVAMAHAPURANA This Purana has been translated into Kannada prose by Ronuru Venkatarama Sastri. It has been divided into seven sections: Vidyesvarasamhita, Rudrasamhita, Satarudrasamhita, Kotirudrasahita, Umasammhita, Kailasasamhita and Vayaviyasamhita. It was printed and published by Sri T. K. Krishnaswami Setty, Proprietor, Kalanidhi Press, Bangalore in 1920. Sivamahapurana has been translated into Kannada by Asthana Vidvan Pandit Venkatarao of Hassan. A ms. from Oriental Library, Mysore, a book printed at Madhure with Hindi translation and another printed in Venkatesvara Press, Bombay, have been utilised in preparing the text. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamaala in 12 parts as series No. 21, it has been printed in two different presses in Mysore, in 1945 and 1946. THE GARUDA-PURANA Visnudharmottara, purporting to be a portion of the Garudapurana, has been written in simple prose by an unknown author. It purports to establish the supremacy of Lord Visnu. The two Mss. MD (K.) No. 236 and 237 in the Descriptive Catalogue of 32. Vide Karnataka Sankaravijaya by Saligrama Srikantha Sastri, 2nd Edition Printed in Sitaraghava Printing Press, Mysore, in 1951, under "Abhivandana", 33. On this, see separate note at the end of this Paper, Jan., 1964] KANNADA VERSIONS OF THE PURANAS 169 Kannada Mss. in the Government Oriental Mss. Library Madras, contain 1-24 Adhyayas complete and the 25th incomplete. THE VARAHA-PURANA Kaisika-purana forming part of Varaha-purana has been rendered into Kannada prose by an unknown author [vide MD (K.) No. 202]. According to the colophon, it contains 44 Adhyayas. A complete translation of this Purana is by Asthana Vidvan Sri M. R. Varadacarya. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala as series No. 31, in 5 parts, it has been printed in Sri Hanuman power press, Mysore, between 1946 and 1948. The author gives the gist at the end of each Adhyaya. The Sanskrit text has been prepared with the help of a ms. in Grantha Script available in Oriental Library Mysore, and printed editions of Venkateswara Printing Press, Bombay, and Printed by Pandit Hrsikesa Sastri of Calcutta. THE OTHER PURANAS There are some Puranas for which there appears to be no earlier translation. About a dozen such Puranas have been rendered into Kannada, perhaps for the first time, by living authors enabling the lovers of Puranas in Karnataka to have a perusal of them. They have been published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala. The translators have mostly used the printed editions from Bombay and Anandasrama series, Poona and at times Mss. in Telugu or Grantha character. The details such as the series No., year of publication etc. are dealt with in the following respective Puranas. THE ADI-PURANA This has been translated by Asthana Vidvan Edatore Candrasekhara Sistri. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala as series No. 41, it has been printed in Pancacarya Electric Press, New Sayaji Rao Road, Mysore, in 1946. The book centains 29 Adhyayas. THE KALKI-PURANA This has bsen translated by Edatore Candrasekhara Sastri. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantaratnamala as Series 22

170 puranam -- PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 1 No. 37, it has been printed in Bangalore Press Branch, Mysore, in 1946 in one book. THE KALIKA-PURANA This Purana has been translated by Pandit Venkata Rao of Hassan. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala in four parts as series No. 10, it has been printed in Sri Bisavesvara Electric Press, Mysore, in 1944. THE KURMA-PURANA A translation into Kannada prose of this Purana is by Sri Patanakar Candrasekharabhatta of the University of Mysore. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala as series No. 40 in 4 parts, it has been printed in Sri Vinayaka Printing works, Mysore, in 1946 and 1947. THE GANESA-PURANA This Purana has been translated by Asthana Vidvan H. Vajniesvara Sastri. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala as No. 55 in the series in 5 parts, it has been printed in Sri Mallikarjuna Press, New Sayaji Rao Road, Mysore, between 1953 and 1955. One feature of this work is that at the end of each part there is a parisista explaining some important names appearing in the book and an index to the slokas. THE BRAHMA-PURANA A complete translation of this Purana is by Pandit Venkata Rao of Hassan. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala in 6 parts as series No. 30, it has been printed in Sri Camundesvari Electric Press, Mysore, in 1946 and 1947. The Sanskrit text has been prepared with the help of a Telugu ms. and printed editions from Venkatesvara Press, Bombay and Ananda- srama, Poona. THE BRAHMAVAIVARTAMAHAPURANA This Purana has been translated by B. S. Krishnappa (Sanskrit Pandit, Government High School, Nanjangud). Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala in 10 parts as 171 Jan., 1964] KANNADA VERSIONS OF THE PURANAS series No 50 it has been printed in Sri Sarada Electric Prees, Mysore, between 1948 and 1949. THE MATSYA-PURANA This Purana has been translated into Kannada by Vajapeyam Srirangacar. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala as series No. 33, in 7 parts, it has been printed in Srinivasa Electric Press, Mysore, between 1946 and 1948. The author gives the gist at the end of each Adhyaya. THE VAMANA-PURANA The translation of this Purana is by Sri S. Venkatacarya. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala as series No. 25, in 3 parts, it has been printed in Sri Sarada Electric Press, Mysore in 1946. THE VAYU-PURANA The translation of this Purana is by Asthana Vidvan Sri R. Setumadhavacar (Pandit of Government Training College, Mysore). Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra grantharatnamala as Series No. 38 in 6 parts it has been printed in Sri Sarada Electric Press, Mysore, in 1947 and 1948. The author gives the gist at the end of each Adhyaya. THE VISNUDHARMOTTARAMAHAPURANA 24 This Purana has been separately printed in 3 khandas and published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala as No. 15 in the series. The first, second and the third Khandas are printed in 5, 4, and 3 parts respectively. The first Khanda and the first two parts in the second Khanda were translated by Sri Venkataramana Sastri of Chamarajanagar and after his demise the rest of the two parts in the 2nd Khanda and the 3rd khanda were translated by Sankighattam Venkatacarya. All the three khandas were printed in different presses during 1945 and 1953 in Mysore. 34. Different from the text of the same name described as a part of the Garudapurapa.

172 puranam - PURANA [Vol. VI., No. 1 THE SAMBA-PURANA A translation of this Purana is by Asthana Vidvan Sri H. Gangadhara Sastri. Published in Sri Jayacamarajendra Grantharatnamala in two parts as series No. 43, it has been printed in Srinivasa Printing Work, Mysore, in 1947. A NOTE ON THE VISNUDHARMOTTARA DESCRIBED AS A PART OF THE GARUDA-PURANA D. Nos. 236 and 237 are two mss. entitled Visnudharmottara noticed in the Descriptive Catalogue of Kannada Mss. in the Govt. Oriental Mss. Library, Madras. The beginning and the colophons state that this is a portion of Garuda-purana. The Sanskrit mss. Catalogue in the Government Oriental Mss. Library, Madras, shows 9 mss. under the title Visnudharmottara" different scripts like Nandinagari, Grantha and Telugu. The two complete palm-leaf Sanskrit mss. in Telugu characters (D. Nos. 2112 and 2113) verified by us contain 27 Adhyayas complete. The subject matter, throughout, is in the form of a dialogue between Marici and Garuda. It deals with Vaisnavadharma, Pativratavidhi, Varnasramadharma, Tulasi patramahatmya, Visnudevalaye dipasthapanamahatmya etc. The two Kannada mss. mentioned above represent a Kannada version of the above Sanskrit Visnudharmottara said to be a part of the Garuda-purana. As in the Sanskrit original, the subject matter in the Kannada version too commences with the vers samtustam bhagavanpriyavahanam | vinatatanayam santam maricih paryaprcchata || " The mss. of this Kannada version contain only 24 Adhyayas complete, with the 25th incomplete."" 35. Beginning: Svastyastu......... Garudapuranadalli VisnudharmattoraSastra Katha prasangaventene (May it be well......in Garudapurana the Visnudharmottarasastrakathaprasanga is): Samyagjnanatma santustam bhagavatpriyavahanam. Vinatatanayam santam Marici!! paryaprechata. Colophon: Iti Garudapurane Sri Visnudharmottare prathamadhyayah 36. Mys. D. No. 1573 in prose is the same work but contains only 16 Adhyas. KANNADA VERSIONS OF THE PURANAS 173 Jan., 1964] A Comparison shows that the work under reference is different from the well-known Visnudharmottara-purana, which is in the form of a dialogue between King Vajra and the sage Markandeya, published by the Venkateswara Press. The three Khandas of this printed work deal, as is well-known, with the arts, poetry, dance, painting, iconography, Arthasastra, Vedanta, Vamsacaritra, Stotra, Rajyabhisekavidhi, Hamsagita, methods of manufacturing longstanding gold and silver articles etc., besides Visnu-worship. The printed edition of the Garuda-purana, however, does Of the few not contain a section called Visnudharmottara. Sanskrit mss. of the latter verified by us, two incomplete mss. in Grantha character found in the Govt. Oriental Mss. Library, Madras (Vide. D. No. 2115 and R. 4748), mention a Visnudharmottara forming part of the Garuda-purana. At the end of the first Adhyaya of D. 2115 there is the colophon, "fairs- purane visnudharmottare prathamo'dhyayah | " The colophon at the end of the 27th Adhyaya of R. 4748 is, "iti srigarudapurane srivisnudharmottare garudamaricisamvade saptavimso'dhyayah || Besides, the Catalogus Catalogorum mentions (Vide. p. 5902) that Visnudharmottara is held to be a part of the Garuda-purana. The Catalogue of Sanskrit mss. in the palace at Tanjore, compiled by A. C. Burnell shows 3 mss. (Nos. 1887-9) of Visnudharmottara "said to be the Uttarabhaga of the Garuda-purana" (Vide. p. 1882). It is thus seen that the Kannada version mentioned above is of the Visnudharmottara forming a part of the Sanskrit Garuda-purana. There is of course, as noted already, a modern Kannada version of the better known printed Visnudharmottara too, forming a dialogue between Vajra and Markandeya and containing art-chapters.