| The Nāgārjuna’s Manuscript | |
|---|---|
 | |
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Original Name |
龍樹の玉稿 |
|
Romanized Name |
Ryūju no Gyokkō |
|
Author |
Unknown |
|
Debut |
|
|
Powers |
It revives the victims of magic. |
|
User |
|
|
Status |
Inside the Dantalian's Bookshelf |
The Nāgārjuna’s Manuscript is a Phantom Book read by one of the Granville brothers to revive Viola’s admirers killed by Melgar. It's present in The Magician’s Daughter story.
In the anime, it’s shown as a scroll contained inside an indigo decorative casing, ornamented with a flowery theme and sealed by a green and yellow ribbon. Its fake version has a fancy violet cover.[1] Originally, the forfeit obtained by the younger Granville is an old stone tablet.[2]
Background[]
Nāgārjuna is considered one of the most important philosophers of Mahayana, one of the main branches of Buddhism, born in South India, circa 150 CE.[3][4]
According to Dalian, The Nāgārjuna’s Manuscript is a lost Phantom Book, extremely difficult to obtain. Blind by love, the younger Granville brother ended up buying a fake exemplar. The real Phantom Book is sealed inside the Labyrinth Library.
The Nāgārjuna’s Manuscript is one of the five Phantom Books requested by Viola Duplessis to her suitors. Although the courtesan had no memories, she felt that the items were necessary to oppose the imminent threat represented by a powerful magician known as the Earl.[2]
Powers[]
The Phantom Book revives those who succumbed to magic. For instance, it was used to resurrect Viola’s admirers who were killed by Melgar’s winged women and those who were attacked by the magician’s powers and had their blood replaced with liquid mercury.[2] In the anime, a subtle sparkle is shown while the fallen men regain consciousness. The user of The Nāgārjuna’s Manuscript is covered in violet light.[1]
Script[]
In the anime, Granville is briefly seen reading The Nāgārjuna’s Manuscript.[1]
"A wrongful death must be righted.
On your loyalty, on your honor on the soul of a warrior.”
Plot[]
The Granville brothers also showed up at the Disward estate looking for a specific book before Lord Moskin and Armand Jeremiah. Hugh and Dalian learn that Viola Duplessis requested five Phantom Books to her suitors in exchange of her hand in marriage. Later, the courtesan explains how she feels that the Phantom Books were necessary to oppose the Earl, who will come for her soon.
The next full moon night, Viola’s mansion is crowded with men trying to protect her. The Granville brothers also appear, showing two tablets supposed to be the Divine Encyclopedia of the Yin Kings and The Nāgārjuna’s Manuscript. Hugh and Dalian suggest that the five Phantom Books obtained by Viola’s suitors are fakes. The brothers present the Phantom Books to soothe the worried courtesan.
During the confrontation against Melgar, one of Viola’s admirers is killed when the magician replaces his blood with liquid mercury. The others are attacked by the magician's winged women. Armand and the others stand in front of Viola to protect her. When the Earl charges a powerful fireball, Dalian gives Hugh the right to open the Labyrinth Library. The five men next to Viola are chosen by the five Phantom Books. Armand, Lord Moskin and Sir Balboa use their newly acquired powers to oppose the magician’s attack. The younger Granville reads The Nāgārjuna’s Manuscript to revive the men killed by the magician. Melgar eventually admits defeat and retreats. The Granville brothers give the Phantom Books back to Hugh.[2]
In the anime, Hugh is seen in his child form, holding The Nāgārjuna’s Manuscript inside the Labyrinth Library.[1]
Trivia[]
- Nāgārjuna supposedly wrote several treatises on rasayana[3], term referring to Indian alchemy and the science of lengthening lifespan. Some of these texts discuss about medicines that bring immortality, give youth, cure all known diseases, promote vitality and restore the health of those gravely ill.[5]
- He’s often depicted with characteristics of a nāga[3], an entity that takes the form of a great snake in Indian religions.[6] The Ophiuchus Manuscript is also a Phantom Book which resurrects people and presents a serpent as theme.[7]
- The Ophiuchus Manuscript[8], the Book of the Eleusis Ritual[9], the Decorative Plywood of Merneith[10] and the Phantom Book used by the Professor in The Mystic Archives of Rasiel[11] are also associated with resurrection.