Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s9.t1.8

c23.s9.t1.8

(a) The expression **ū pā cā a ṉa** (*upaca-aṉ*) occurring at Kilavalavu and Kongarpuliyankulam was regarded by Subrahmanya Aiyer as the Tamil form of Skt. *upāsaka* from Prakrit, and interpreted to mean a 'lay devotee' as in Buddhist terminology.⁴ However, the same expression was earlier derived by Krishna Sastri from Skt. *upādhyāya* 'teacher.'¹ Though he did not interpret it, the expression means a 'preceptor' or 'spiritual teacher' in Jaina terminology. The latter interpretation has been adopted in this study.²