Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c28: Part Three: Corpus of Early Tamil Inscriptions

Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c28

Language: English

c28.s1 Early Tamil-Brāhmī Inscriptions (1-59) — 20 parts
c28.s2 Late Tamil-Brāhmī Inscriptions (60-89) — 20 parts
c28.s3 Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu Inscriptions (101-121) — 83 parts
c28.s4 Estampages (Plates) — 58 parts
c28.s5 Commentary on Inscriptions — 14 parts
c28.s6 Early Tamil-Brāhmī Inscriptions — 18 parts
c28.s7 Late Tamil-Brāhmī Inscriptions — 12 parts
c28.s8 Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu Inscriptions — 12 parts

Part Three: Corpus of Early Tamil Inscriptions

The Corpus comprises 110 inscriptions arranged in an approximate chronological sequence. The first 89 inscriptions from 30 sites are in the Tamil-Brāhmī script; the remaining 21 inscriptions from 12 sites are in the Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu script. The Tamil-Brāhmī and Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu inscriptions are arranged in separate sections with serial numbers *1-89* and *101-121* respectively. Inscriptions from the same site are grouped together and numbered serially in each site; however, where Tamil-Brāhmī and Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu inscriptions occur at the same site, they are included in the respective sections, and the sites in such cases are marked with the suffixes A and B respectively. Names and serial numbers (in roman numerals) of the sites and the serial numbers of inscriptions (in each site) are printed at the top of each page. The name of the site is also repeated in the Tamil script as guide to pronunciation. The consecutive serial numbers of inscriptions in the Corpus (Nos. *1-89* and *101-121*) are in bold italics at top left of each inscription. For more particulars on sites and inscriptions, see catalogues of Tamil-Brāhmī and Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu Inscriptions (Tables 1.2 and 1.3 respectively).

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TEXTS

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The texts are arranged in a special format designed to explicate the unfamiliar features of the Tamil-Brāhmī inscriptions.

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**Literal transcript:** Each inscription is first presented in a literal transcription (marked **A** and printed in **bold**) to record what is actually engraved on the stone. The transcription is given *akshara* by *akshara* (with spaces in between) without any correction, emendation or restoration. The *aksharas* are read according to Brāhmī orthography; the 'inherent'-a medial vowel is made explicit in every case, and the vowel-lengths are transcribed as in Brāhmī inscriptions. However, the length of *e* and *o* is considered indeterminate at this stage.

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The objectives of the literal transcription are to record the original inscriptions with fidelity, to provide a point of departure from the more familiar Brāhmī script and to demonstrate the differences between the Brāhmī and Tamil-Brāhmī orthographic systems.

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**Text:** At the next stage, the *aksharas* are combined into words, and the text (marked **B** and printed in *italics*) is constituted in accordance with the orthographic norms applicable to the inscriptions. The 'inherent' -a is omitted from basic consonants, and the correct vowel-lengths are adopted. Thus, for example, **tā na tai ya** is read as *tantai-y* 'father', **mā kā ṉa** as *makaṉ* 'son', **ū ṟai** as *uṟai* 'abode', **ne la** as *nel* 'paddy', **ko ṉa** as *kōṉ* 'chieftain', etc. Again, the word *kal* 'stone' occurs as **kā la** or **ka la** or **ka l** in the successive (but marginally overlapping) orthographic systems (TB I-III). It is necessary to emphasise that these emendations are not 'corrections' but the intended readings of the original inscriptions. See Chapter 6 (Orthography) for details.

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Also at this stage, the lost *aksharas* are restored and the missing *aksharas* supplied, wherever possible, from the evidence of parallel texts or from the context as explained in the footnotes. The restored or supplied *aksharas* are enclosed in square brackets and marked with asterisks [\* ].

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The employment of a single consonant to represent doubled consonants is regarded as an orthographic variation and is not emended in the text; however, the corresponding linguistic forms with doubled consonants are pointed out in the footnotes (e.g., **pā** **ḷi** > *paḷi* > *paḷḷi* 'hermitage').

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Scribal errors are also left uncorrected in the text, but the corrected forms are given in the footnotes, which commence with the code 'Read' in order to distinguish corrections from emendations (e.g., *atiyan neṭumān*: Read *atiyaṉ neṭumāṉ*). The text constituted in the manner described above forms the basis for all further studies in this work.

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**Text in Tamil script:** As the language of the inscriptions is Tamil, the text is also reproduced in the Tamil script. The medial signs for short and long *e* and *o* are differentiated and basic consonants are marked with the *puḷḷi*.

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TRANSLATION

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The text is translated into English keeping as close to the original as possible. Personal and place names occurring in translation are written with doubled consonants and without the paragogic suffixes (*-i*, *-y*, etc.,) in accordance with literary usage.

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DATA

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Essential background information in respect of each inscription is given below the text on the same page as follows.

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**1. Illustrations:** The inscriptions are illustrated with tracings (made direct from the stone), estampages and, in a few cases, with direct photographs. Serial numbers of Figures (tracings) and Plates (estampages and direct photographs) are given under this head. Tracings are printed on the left hand pages facing or near the pages with the corresponding inscriptions. Plates with estampages and direct photographs are placed in a separate section at the end of the Corpus. See List of Tracings of Inscriptions (Figures) and List of Estampages of Inscriptions (Plates).

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**2. Locus:** The exact location of each inscription in a site is given. (See Map I and catalogues in Tables 1.2 and 1.3 for the location of sites.) Brief comments are also added on the state of preservation of the inscription.

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**3. No. of lines:** The number of lines in the original of each inscription is specified. Longer inscriptions engraved in one line are reproduced in segments for convenience of printing.

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**4. Length:** The actual length (in cms.) of each line as measured *in situ* is given except for No. *71* (too fragmentary), Nos. *78*, *81-82* (which are no longer extant and are edited from earlier estampages) and No. *120* (partly submerged in water). Scale is indicated for each tracing. Scale for estampages was not available for the photographs obtained from the ASI and TNSA.

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**5. Date:** The inscriptions are arranged chronologically in three periods, namely Early Tamil-Brāhmī (ca. 2nd century B.C.-1st century A.D.), Late Tamil-Brāhmī (ca. 2nd-4th centuries A.D.) and Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu (ca. 5th and 6th centuries A.D.). Within each period, an attempt has been made to indicate approximately the date of the inscription to the nearest century. See section 2.16 and Tables 2.1 and 2.2 on the chronology of the inscriptions.

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**6. Publications:** Previous publications on each inscription are listed in an abbreviated form commencing with the official publications of the ASI (*ARE*, *IAR* and *SII*) and my earlier work *Corpus of the Tamil-Brāhmī Inscriptions 1966* (1968) which forms the nucleus for the present study. Thereafter, references to the major compilations of Tamil-Brāhmī inscriptions are arranged alphabetically in the order of the initials of the authors or the abbreviated titles of the publications. Finally, references to occasional papers on individual inscriptions are given with the names of authors and the year of publication arranged chronologically. Abbreviations for the major compilations of Tamil-Brāhmī inscriptions published earlier are given below. (These abbreviations are used only in the Corpus. See Bibliography for details.)

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NOTES

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Footnotes appearing on the same page under each inscription deal with variant readings, state of preservation of individual *aksharas*, comparison of inscriptional forms with those of Literary Tamil (LT) and minimal additional explanations considered necessary for an understanding of the inscriptions. Literary and inscriptional citations and further detailed studies of the inscriptions will be found in the Commentary. References are also made to sections in Chapters 1-7 for discussion on significant items.

Early Tamil-Brāhmī Inscriptions (1-59)

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(ca. 2nd Century B.C.-1st Century A.D.)

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[Figure: Figure 8.1. I. MANGULAM 1

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Tracing (in five segments). Scale: one-tenth.]

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I. MANGULAM (மாங்குளம்) - 1

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| ***1.*** | **A.** | **kā ṇi ya nā na tā a si ri ya ī** **ku va a ṇa ke dha ma mā ma** **ī ta tā a ne ṭu ña cā li yā ṇa** **pā ṇā a ṇa kā ṭā la a ṇa vā ḷu ta ti ya** **ko ṭu ṭū pi ta tā a pā ḷi ī ya** |
| | **B.** | *kaṇi-y*¹ *nanta-a-siri-y-i*² *kuv-aṇkē dhammam*³ [ |* ] *ittā-a*⁴ *neṭuñcaliyaṉ*⁵ *paṇa-aṉ*⁶ *kaṭal-aṉ*⁷ *vaḷutti-y*⁸ *koṭṭupitta-a*⁹ *paḷi-iy*¹⁰ கணிய் நந்தஅஸிரிய்இ குவ்அன்கே தம்மம் [ |* ] இத்தாஅ நெடுஞ்சழியன் பணஅன் கடல்அன் வழுத்திய் கொட்டுபித்தஅ பளிஇய் Charity to **Nanta-siri Kuvaṉ**, the ***kaṇi***. Behold! The hermitage was caused to be carved by **Kaṭalaṉ Vaḷuti**, the servant of **Neṭuñceḻiyaṉ**. |
| **ILL.** | | Tracing: Fig. 8.1. Direct photograph (computer-enhanced): Pl. 1. |
| **Locus** | | On the brow of the upper southern cave known as the 'kitchen' on the Kaḻukumalai hill; too weather-worn and faint to produce a legible estampage, but clearly visible to the naked eye. See section 1.2.1 (iii) and Fig. 1.2. |
| **No. of lines** | 1 | |
| **Length** | 564 cm. | |
| **Date** | ca. 2nd century B.C. | |
| **Publ.** | ARE 465/1906. IM:1/1966. *HTS*:1.1 (pp. 43-44, 69-73); MSV:9.3 (pp. 87-91); RN:1.1 (pp. 48-53); RPS:1(pp. 163-197). K.V. Ramesh (in A. Chakravarti 1974):No. 1. J. Sundaram 1984:No. 4. |
| **Notes** | 1. | *kaṇi-* < *gaṇi* (Pkt.) < *gaṇin* (Skt.), title of a senior Jaina monk heading a *gaṇa*. |
| | 2. | Word-division as in RPS, but treating *-siri-y-i* as a suffix. *nanta-a-siri-*< *naṁda -siri* (Pkt.) < *nanda-śrī* (Skt.). Cf. *nanta-siri-* (No. 2) and *nata-siri-* (No. 3). |
| | 3. | *dhammam* < *dhamma* (Pkt.) < *dharma* (Skt.). Cf. *dhamam* (No. 2). |
| | 4. | Cf. LT *itā* 'behold!' See Commentary on the form *ittā-a*. Cf. *itā* (No. 2). |
| | 5. | Cf. Neṭuñceḻiyaṉ, N. of a Pāṇṭiya king. Cf. *neṭiñcaliyaṉ* (No. 2). See section 4.2.1. |
| | 6. | Cf. *paṇavaṉ* 'servant' (*TL*). |
| | 7. | *kaṭalaṉ*. Cf. Kaṭalaṉ, N. of a chieftain. |
| | 8. | Read *vaḷuti-*. Cf. Vaḷuti, a Pāṇṭiya dynastic name. |
| | 9. | *koṭṭupitta-* < *koṭṭu* 'to hammer' . Cf. (inscr.) *koṭṭuvittāṉ* 'he caused to be carved' (so in RN). |
| | 10. | *paḷḷi-*. Cf. LT *paḷḷi* 'hermitage'. See section 6.17 on the omission of doubling of consonants. |

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[Figure: Figure 8.2. MANGULAM 2

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Tracing (in four segments). Scale: one-tenth.]

Mangulam - 2

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2. A. **kā ṇi ya nā na tā si ri ya ku a ṇa¹** **dha² mā ma ḭ tā ne ṭi ña cā ḷi³ yā ṇa sā lā kā ṇa** **ḭ ḷā ña cā ṭi⁴ kā ṇa tā na tai ya cā ṭi⁴ kā ṇa** **ce ḭ yā⁵ pā ḷi ya**

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³ HKS reads *ṭṭhi* and KVS *ṟi*.

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⁴ HKS reads *ṭi* and KVS *ṟi*.

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⁵ There is no evidence *in situ* of correction or overwriting of the letter as stated by TVM.

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B. *kaṇi-y nanta-siri-y ku-aṇ* *dhamam⁶* [*|*\*] *ītā neṭiñcaliyan⁷ sālakan⁸* *iḷañcaṭikan tantai-y caṭikan* *cē-iya⁹ paḷi-y¹⁰*

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⁶ *dhammam*. See n.3, No. *1*.

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⁷ Cf. Neṭuñceḻiyaṉ. See n.5, No. *1*.

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⁸ Cf. *sālaka* (Pāli) < *syālaka* (Skt.). Cf. *cālakaṉ* 'sister-in-law's husband' (*TL*).

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¹⁰ *paḷḷi-*. See n.10, No. *1*.

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கணிய் நந்தஸிரிய் குஅன் தமம் [|\*] ஈதா நெடுஞ்சழியன் ஸாலகன் இளஞ்சடிகன் தந்தைய் சடிகன் சேஇய பள்ளி

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Charity (to) Nanta-siri Ku(v)aṇ, the *kaṇi*. Behold! The hermitage was made by Caṭikan, the father of Iḷañcaṭikan, the husband of the sister-in-law of Neṭiñcaliyan.

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**ILL.** Tracing: Fig. 8.². Estampage (photograph computer-enhanced): Pl. 2.

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**Locus** On the rear wall of the lower cave. See section 1.².¹ (iii).

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**No. of lines** 1

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**Length** 478 cm.

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**Date** ca. 2nd century B.C.

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**Publ.** ARE 460/1906; ARE 1917-18:Pl. facing p. 6. IM:2/1966. CNR:IV-A (pp. 367-370); HKS:IV-A (pp. 336-339); *HTS*:¹.² (pp. 43-44, 69-73); KVS:III (pp. 289-294); KZ:3-I (p. 20); MSV:⁹.2 (pp. 81-87); RN:1.2 (pp. 48-53); RPS:2 (pp. 163-197); TVM: 1-A (pp. 201-211, Pl. 1 & 2). K.V. Ramesh (in A. Chakravarti 1974):No. 2. J. Sundaram 1984:No. 6.

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¹ The character *ṇ* is consistently read as '*nā* of the Bhattiprolu type' by HKS. See section 2.3.2.

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² HKS and KVS also read *dha*. TVM prefers to read *ē*.

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⁹ *cē-iya* 'which was made' < *cē* (LT *cey*). See Commentary on the form *cē* for *cey*.

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Notes

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[Figure: Figure 8.3. MANGULAM 3

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Tracing (in four segments). Scale: one-tenth.]

Mangulam - 3

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3. A. kā ṇi ī nā tā si ri ya ku vā . . .¹ ve ḷa a ṟai² ya ni kā mā tū kā vi ti ī ya kā ḷi³ ti kā a na tai a sū tā ṇa pi ṇā ū ko ṭu pi to ṇa

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B. *kaṇi-i nata-siri-y⁴ kuva [ṇ*]⁵ . . .* *veḷ-aṟai-y nikamatu⁶* *kāviti-iy⁷ kāḷitika⁸ antai⁹* *asutaṉ¹⁰ piṇa-u¹¹ koṭupitōṉ¹²*

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கணிஇ நதஸிரிய் குவ[ன்*] . . . வெள்அறைய் நிகமது காவிதிஇய் காழிதிக அந்தை அஸு தன் பிணஉ கொடுபிதோன்

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(To) **Na(n)ta-siri Kuva(ṉ)**, the ***kaṇi***. **Antai Assutaṉ**, the superintendent of pearls and ***kāviti*** of the merchant guild of **Veḷḷaṟai**, caused to be given the cave(?).

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| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.3. Estampage: Pl. 3. |
| **Locus** | On the brow of the upper northern cave; weather-worn and faint. HKS and KVS (and others following their lead) have mixed up segments of this inscription with two other inscriptions (Nos. *5* & *6*) in another cave. See section 1.2.1(ii). |
| **No. of lines** | 1 |
| **Length** | 515 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 2nd century B.C. |
| **Publ.** | *ARE* 463-464/1906; *ARE* 1917-18:Pl. facing p. 6 (463 only). IM:3/1966. CNR:IV-B & E (pp. 367-370); HKS:IV-B & E (pp. 336-339); *HTS*:1.3 (pp. 43-44, 69-73); KVS:IV-A & C (pp. 289-294); KZ:3-II A & C (p. 20); MSV:9.1 (pp. 70-73); RN: 1.3 (pp. 48-53); RPS:3 (pp. 163-197); TVM:1-B & E (pp. 201-211, Pl. 3 & 5). K.V. Ramesh (in A. Chakravarti 1974):No. 3. J. Sundaram 1984:No. 5. |
| **Notes** | 1. There is a gap of about 30 cm. here due to flaking of the stone. |
| | 2. HKS and KVS read *ḍai*. KZ and TVM read *ṭai*. |
| | 3. HKS, KVS and KZ read *si*. TVM reads *si*. |
| | 4. *nata-* < *nada* (*nanda*) (Pkt.). See also n.2, No. *1*. |
| | 5. [*ṇ*] restored from the near-identical passages in Nos. *1* & *2*. |
| | 6. *nikamattu*. Cf. LT *nikamam*. |
| | 7. *kāviti-*, an ancient title bestowed on officials and merchants. See section 4.6.9. |
| | 8. Read *kāḷatika*. Cf. LT *kāḻ* 'pearl'; *atikaṇ* < *adhika* (Pkt.) 'superintendent, chief'. Cf. *kaṇatikaṇ* (No. *40*). |
| | 9. *antai*, an honorific suffix (masc.) for an elder or senior person. See section 3.2.2 (v). |
| | 10. *assutaṉ*. Cf. *assuta* (Pāli), *assuda* (AMg.) < *aśruta* (Skt.). 'A personal name' (RPS). |
| | 11. Cf. LT *piḷavu* 'cleft'. "*piṇa-u* might have meant a partition or cleft" (Sundaram). |
| | 12. *koṭuppittōṉ* < *koṭu* 'to give'. See Commentary on the distinction between *koṭu* and *koṭṭu*. |

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[Figure: Figure 8.4. MANGULAM 4-6

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Tracings. Scale: one-sixth.]

Mangulam - 4

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4. A. kā ṇi ya nā ta ti¹ ya ko ṭi ya a vā² ṉa

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B. *kaṇi-y natti-y koṭiy-avaṉ*³

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கணிய் நத்திய் கொடிய்அவன்

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**Natti, the *kaṇi*, engraved.⁴**

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Notes

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1. The short horizontal line cutting across the vertical of this letter is a fissure in the rock as verified *in situ*.
2. The letter looks like *cā* and has been read as such in *ARE*. However, it appears to be *vā* in this context. There are several such instances of confusing similarity between *c* and *v*. (Cf. Nos. *28, 29, 31, 35, 43, 49, 101, 119*.). See section 5.11: *v*.
3. *koṭṭiyavaṉ* < *koṭṭu*. Cf. *koṭi-ōr* (*koṭṭi-ōr*) (No. *6*) and *koṭal-* (*koṭṭal-*) (No. *12*). See also n.9, No. *1*.
4. 'the inscription' is understood from the context. The reference is to the engraving of the main inscription (No. *1*) in this cave. See Commentary for discussion.

Mangulam - 5

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**5. A.** **cā na tā ri tā ṉa ko¹ ṭū pi to ṉa**

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**B.** *cantaritaṉ*² *koṭupitōṉ*³

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சந்தரிதன் கொடுபிதோன்

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**Cantari**ṯ**aṉ caused to be given.**⁴

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Notes

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1. The left medial stroke of *ko* is attached at a slightly higher level than the right, though both appear continuous due to the scale of reduction of the illustrations.

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2. A composite personal name *cantaṉ* + *aritan*. The name may also be read *cantāritaṉ*. Cf. *ar-itaṉ* (No. **8**) and *āritaṉ* (No. **60**).

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3. *koṭuppittōṉ*.

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4. 'the cave' is understood from the context.

Mangulam - 6

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6. A. ve ḷa a ṟai¹ ni kā mā to ra ko² ṭi o ra

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¹ HKS and KVS read *ḍai* and TVM *ṭai*.

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² The left medial stroke of *ko* is attached at a slightly lower level than the right, though both appear continuous due to the scale of reduction of the illustrations.

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B. veḷ-aṟai nikamatōr³ koṭi-ōr⁴

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³ *nikamattōr*.

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⁴ *koṭṭi-ōr*. KVS compares with LT *koṭṭiṉōr*. See also n.3, No. 4.

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வெள்அறை நிகமதோர் கொடிஓர்

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The members of the merchant guild of Veḷḷaṟai carved.⁵

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⁵ 'the stone beds' is understood from the context. The cave contains a large number of stone beds collectively gifted by the members of the merchant guild.

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Notes

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[Figure: Figure 8.5. II. ARITTAPATTI

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Tracing (in two segments). Scale: one-eighth.]

II. Arittapatti

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7. A. ne la ve ḷi ī ya ci ḷi vā ṉa a ti ṉā ṉa ve ḷi ya ṉa mu ḻā¹ kai ko ṭu pi² to ṉa

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¹ Raman and Subbarayalu read *śā*. The letter was later found to be *ḻā* when the thin plaster coating was scraped off by our team in 1992.

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² This letter was found (and the readings of some others improved) after the plaster was removed.

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B. *nelveḷi-iy ciḷivaṉ atiṉaṉ*³ *veḷiyaṉ muḻākai*⁴ *koṭupitōṉ*⁵

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³ *atiṉṉaṉ*. Cf. *atiṇṇaṇ*, N. of a chieftain in a coin-legend (K.G. Krishnan 1973-74c: pp. 139-140). See section 4.5.4.

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⁴ Cf. *muḻa-ukai* (No. 17); LT *muḻai* 'cave'.

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⁵ *koṭuppittōṉ*.

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நெல்வெளிஇய் சிழிவன் அதினன் வெளியன் முழாகை கொடுபிதோன்

c28.s1.t6.9

Ciḷivaṉ Atiṉṉaṉ Veḷiyaṉ of Nelveḷi caused to be given the cave.

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Notes

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[Figure: Figure 8.6. III. TIRUVADAVUR 1

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Tracing. Scale: one-eighth.]

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III. TIRUVADAVUR (திருவாதவூர்) - 1

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**8.** **A.** **pā** **ṅa¹** **kā** **ṭā** **a** **ra** **i** **tā²** **ṉa** **ko** **ṭa** **tū** **pi** **to** **ṉa**

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**B.** *pāṅkāṭa³* *ar-itaṉ⁴* *koṭṭupitōṉ⁵*

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பாங்காட அர்இதன் கொட்டுபிதோன்

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Aritaṉ of Pāṅkāṭ(u) caused to be carved.⁶

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[Figure: Figure 8.7. TIRUVADAVUR 2

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Tracing (in two segments). Scale: one-eighth.]

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TIRUVADAVUR (திருவாதவூர்) - 2

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| 9. | A. | ū pā cā ṇa pā ra a cū ū ṟai ko ṭa ṭū pi to ṇa |
| | B. | *upacaṇ*¹ *par-acu*² *uṟai koṭṭupitōn*³ |

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உபசன் பர்அசு உறை கொட்டுபிதோன்

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**Paracu,** the preceptor, caused to be carved the abode (of ascetics).

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Notes

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1. *upaccaṇ*. Cf. *upaca-aṇ* (*upaccaṇ*) (Nos. *10* & *11*). Cf. LT *uvaccaṉ*; *upajjha*, *upajjhāya* (Pāli); *upajhaya*, *uvajha* (Pkt. inscr.) < *upādhyāya* (Skt.). See Commentary on the derivation and section 4.9.3 (iii) on the role of the *upādhyāya* in Tamil Jaina tradition. See also n.3, No. *10*.

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2. *paracu*. See section 6.19.2 on the pause between *r* and *a*, and the Commentary for the traditional connection between the Uvaccar and the Paracavar.

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3. *koṭṭupittōn*. See n.9, No. *1* and n.3, No. *4*.

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Figure 8.8. IV. KILAVALAVU Inscription No. *10* Tracing (in two segments). Scale: one-eighth.

IV. Kilavalavu

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**10.** **A.** **ū pā [c]ā¹ a ṉa to ṇa ṭi²** **[l]ā¹ vo ṉa ko ṭu² pā ḷi ī**

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**B.** **upa[c]a-aṉ³ toṇṭi=** **[l]avōṉ⁴ koṭu paḷi-i⁵**

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**உ[ச]அன் தொண்டி** **[ல]வோன் கொடு பளிஇ**

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The hermitage given by the preceptor, (I)llavōṉ of Toṇṭi.

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| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.8. Estampage: Pl. 8. |
| **Locus** | On the brow of the cave called the 'school' on the Pañcapāṇḍavarmalai hill. See section 1.2.3 and Fig. 1.4. The inscription is engraved from right to left and upside down. The illustrations are printed in the normal orientation; however, some of the letters (Nos. 5 to 8, and 11 & 12 from left) still appear upside down due to careless engraving. Cf. Nos. **53, 54, 56 & 74.** See section 5.8 on direction of writing. |
| **No. of lines** | 1 |
| **Length** | 239 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 2nd century B.C. |
| **Publ.** | *ARE* 135/1903. *SII.* VIII: No. 422. IM: 9/1966. |
| | CNR: V (p. 370); HKS: V (pp. 339-340); *HTS:* 3 (pp. 45, 73-74); KVS: V (p. 294); KZ: 4 (p. 21); |
| | MSV: 13 (pp. 110-113); RN: 10 (p. 61); RPS: 11(pp. 163-197); TVM: 3 (pp. 214-217, Pl. 7). |
| | E. Jebarajan 1994. |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | These two letters are partly damaged by the later cutting of post holes on the brow of the cave. |
| 2. | The different points of attachment of the medial strokes in these two letters clearly indicate that the 8th letter (reversed and inverted) is to be read as *ṭi* and the 13th letter (normal) as *ṭu*. |
| 3. | *upaccaṉ*. Cf. *upādhyāya* (Skt.) 'preceptor'. I now prefer this interpretation by HKS to *upāsaka* 'lay devotee' by KVS followed by me earlier. See n.1, No. **9**. See also 4.9.3 (iii). |
| 4. | *toṇṭilavōṉ* is construed as *toṇṭi* + *(i)lavōṉ* (*illavōṉ*) 'Illavōṉ of Toṇṭi'. See Commentary for discussion. |
| 5. | *paḷḷi-*. |

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[Figure: 11.

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¹³ Figure 8.9. V. KONGARPULIYANKULAM 1-3 *Inscriptions Nos. 11-13* Tracings. Scale: one-tenth.]

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V. KONGARPULIYANKULAM (கொங்கர்புளியங்குளம்) - 1

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*11.* **A. ku ṟa¹ ko ṭu pi tā vā ṉa ū pā cā a ṉa ū pā ṟu² vā³ . . .⁴**

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¹ HKS reads *ṭū*, KVS *ṭu* and TVM *ṟu*. The *-u* medial sign is not present.

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² HKS reads *ṭū* and KVS and TVM *ṟu*.

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³ According to TVM, "two horizontal strokes indicative of the *ā* long symbol appear to be added to the right of this letter, thus making it *vā ā*". Rechecking of the inscription *in situ* has not confirmed the feature. See also n.4, No. **55**.

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⁴ The stone has flaked off here resulting in the loss of at least one letter.

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**B. *kuṟa⁵ koṭupitavaṉ⁶ upaca-aṉ⁷ upaṟuva[ṉ*]⁸ . . .***

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⁵ Cf. LT *kuṟai* 'cutting' (so *HTS*). Cf. also *kuṟu* (*kūṟu*) 'section' (No. **12**).

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⁶ *koṭuppittavaṉ*.

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⁷ *upaccaṉ*. See n.1, No. **9** and n.3, No. **10**.

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⁸ *uppaṟuvaṉ*. [***ṉ****] is restored from the evidence of the *-aṉ* endings of the antecedent nouns.

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**குற கொடுபிதவன் உபசஅன் உப்றுவ[ன்\*] . . .**

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Uppaṟuva(ṉ), the preceptor, caused to be given (this) cutting.⁹

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⁹ 'of the section of the drip ledge' is understood from the context. See Nos. **12** & **13** also.

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Notes

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KONGARPULIYANKULAM (கொங்கர்புளியங்குளம்) - 2

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*12.* **A.** **ku** **ṟu**¹ **ko** **ṭā** **la** **ku** **ī** **ta** **tā** **vā** **ṉa** **ce²** **ṟa¹** **a** **tā** **ṉa** **[o]³** **ṉa** **** **⁴**

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**B.** *kuṟu*⁵ *koṭalku*⁶ *īttavaṉ* *ceṟ-ataṉ*-[*ō*]*ṉ*⁷

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குறு கொடல்கு ஈத்தவன் செற்அதன்[ஒ]ன்

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Ceṟṟataṉ gave for carving (this ) section.⁸

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Notes

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1. HKS reads *ṭū*, KVS *ṭu* and TVM *ṟu*.
2. The slanting chisel cut across the vertical of the letter does not appear to belong to it.
3. HKS and KVS read *lē*, TVM *pō*, and *e* by me earlier. Addition of double strokes at the top of the vowel *o* is a noteworthy feature.
4. A pair of symbols, also repeated at the end of No. *13*. (The symbols were probably added at the end of No. *11* also, but now lost.) The symbol at left is found at other sites also. See section 5.18.
5. Read *kūṟu* 'section, division, part, share'. Cf. also *kuṟa* (LT *kuṟai*) (No. *11*).
6. *koṭṭal*-, verbal noun from LT *koṭṭu*. See also n.3, No. 4.
7. *ceṟṟ-ataṉ*-. Cf. LT *ciṟu* > *ciṟṟ*- before a vowel; *ceṟṟu* (Ma.). Cf. *pē[r]ataṉ* in No. *13*.
8. 'of the cutting (of the drip ledge)' is understood from the context. See also Nos. *11* & *13*.

c28.s1.t7.32

KONGARPULIYANKULAM (கொங்கர்புளியங்குளம்) - 3

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13. A. **pā kā ṉa ū ra pe [r]ā¹ tā ṉa pi ṭā ṉa ī ta tā ve po² ṉa $ $³**

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B. pākaṉ-ūr pē[r]ataṉ⁴ piṭaṉ⁵ itta⁶ vepōṉ⁷

c28.s1.t7.35

பாகன்ஊர் பே[ர]தன் பிடன் இத்த வெபோன்

c28.s1.t7.36

Pērataṉ Piṭṭaṉ of Pākaṉūr has endowed this.⁸

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**ILL.** Tracing: Fig. 8.9. Estampage: Pl. 9.

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**Locus** The third inscription (from left) on the brow of the cave. This is read as the middle inscription by HKS, KVS and others following their lead.

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**No. of lines** 1

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**Length** 183 cm.

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**Date** ca. 2nd century B.C.

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**Publ.** *ARE* 57/1910; *ARE* 1911-12:Pl. facing p. 50. IM:12/1966. CNR:IX-B (pp. 372-373); HKS:IX-B (pp. 343-344); *HTS*:4.3 (pp. 46-47,74-77); KVS:VIII-B (pp. 295-296); KZ: 9-B (p. 22); MSV:2.3 (pp. 33-39); RN:3.3 (pp. 54-55); RPS:10 (pp. 163-197); TVM:5-II (pp. 224-231, Pl. 9 middle).

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**Notes**
1. This letter looks like a misshapen *tā*. The engraver had anticipated the next letter *tā* here and, realising his mistake, discontinued the superfluous lower right stroke, as seen from its very short length. Compare with the next letter *tā*.
2. HKS reads *pō* and KVS *lē*.
3. A pair of symbols as in the previous inscription. See n.4, No. *12*. See section 5.18.
4. *Cf. ceṟ-ataṉ* (*ceṟṟataṉ*) (No. *12*).
5. *piṭṭaṉ*. Cf. Piṭṭaṉ, N. of a chieftain.
6. Cf. LT *itai*/*ittai* (*itu* + *ai*), 'this' (in accusative case).
7. *veppōṉ*. Cf. LT *vaippōṉ*. Cf. *vaika* (*vaikka*) (No. *16*).
8. 'section (of the cutting of the drip ledge)' is understood from the context. See Nos. *11* & *12* also.

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*14.*

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[Figure: Figure 8.10. VI. MARUKALTALAI Inscription No. *14* Tracing (in three segments). Scale: one-tenth.]

VI. Marukaltalai

c28.s1.t8.1

*14.* A. ve ṇa kā¹ si pā ṇa ku ṭu pi tā kā la² kā ña cā³ ṇa ma

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B. *veṇkāsipaṉ* *kuṭupita*⁴ *kal* *kañcaṇam*⁵

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வெண்காஸிபன் குடுபித கல் கஞ்சணம்

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The stone structure (?) was caused to be given by Veṇkāsipaṉ.

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**ILL.** Tracing: Fig. 8.10. Estampage: Pl. 10.

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**Locus** On the brow of the cave on the Pūviluṭaiyārmalai hill; engraved in exceptionally large-sized letters (reaching almost 40 cm. in height).

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**No. of lines** 1

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**Length** 426 cm.

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**Date** ca. 2nd century B.C.

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**Publ.** *ARE* 407/1906. IM:29/1966.

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CNR:I (pp. 364-365); HKS:I (pp. 332-333); *HTS*:9 (pp. 50, 84);

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KVS:I (pp. 287-288); KZ:1 (pp. 19-20); MSV:14 (pp. 114-120);

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RN:8 (p. 59); TVM:4 (pp. 218-223; Pl. 8).

c28.s1.t8.14

Notes

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1. HKS and KVS read *kō*. There is an angular chisel cut like inverted L just above, but not touching the letter, which was probably made when the drip ledge was carved.
2. HKS and KVS read *ḷa*.
3. The medial *-ā* stroke of this letter lies along a natural groove in the rock.
4. *kuṭuppitta*. Cf. LT *koṭuppitta*.
5. The meaning of *kañcaṇam* is uncertain; the context indicates some kind of a stone structure.