Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s11.t3.2

c23.s11.t3.2

The expression *kaṇi* (Pkt. *gaṇi* < Skt. *gaṇin*) ' a senior Jaina monk, the head of a *gaṇa*' occurs four times at Mangulam (Nos. *1-4*, ca. 2nd century B.C.) and twice at Alagarmalai (No. *48*, ca. 1st century B.C.). While many terms like *ācārya*, etc., are common to the Brahmanical, Buddhist and Jaina religions, the expression *gaṇin* is peculiar to Jaina hierarchy.¹ Thus, the occurrence of this term in Early Tamil-Brāhmī inscriptions is conclusive evidence of the occupation of the caves by monks of the Jaina faith.