Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c28.s1: Early Tamil-Brāhmī Inscriptions (1-59)

Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c28.s1

Language: English

c28.s1.t1 Mangulam - 2 — 23 parts
c28.s1.t2 Mangulam - 3 — 7 parts
c28.s1.t3 Mangulam - 4 — 7 parts
c28.s1.t4 Mangulam - 5 — 10 parts
c28.s1.t5 Mangulam - 6 — 13 parts
c28.s1.t6 II. Arittapatti — 31 parts
c28.s1.t7 IV. Kilavalavu — 45 parts
c28.s1.t8 VI. Marukaltalai — 176 parts
c28.s1.t9 X. Karungalakkudi — 3 parts
c28.s1.t10 XI. Mudalaikulam — 132 parts
c28.s1.t11 XIII. Sittannavasal - A — 9 parts
c28.s1.t12 XIV. Aiyarmalai — 92 parts
c28.s1.t13 XVIII. Jambai — 10 parts

Early Tamil-Brāhmī Inscriptions (1-59)

c28.s1.3

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

| ***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. |

c28.s1.6

[Figure: Figure 8.2. MANGULAM 2

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

Mangulam - 2

c28.s1.t1.1

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**

c28.s1.t1.2

³ HKS reads *ṭṭhi* and KVS *ṟi*.

c28.s1.t1.3

⁴ HKS reads *ṭi* and KVS *ṟi*.

c28.s1.t1.4

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

c28.s1.t1.5

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

c28.s1.t1.6

⁶ *dhammam*. See n.3, No. *1*.

c28.s1.t1.7

⁷ Cf. Neṭuñceḻiyaṉ. See n.5, No. *1*.

c28.s1.t1.8

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

c28.s1.t1.9

¹⁰ *paḷḷi-*. See n.10, No. *1*.

c28.s1.t1.10

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

c28.s1.t1.11

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.

c28.s1.t1.12

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

c28.s1.t1.13

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

c28.s1.t1.14

**No. of lines** 1

c28.s1.t1.15

**Length** 478 cm.

c28.s1.t1.16

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

c28.s1.t1.17

**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.

c28.s1.t1.18

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

c28.s1.t1.19

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

c28.s1.t1.20

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

c28.s1.t1.21

Notes

c28.s1.t1.22

[Figure: Figure 8.3. MANGULAM 3

c28.s1.t1.23

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

Mangulam - 3

c28.s1.t2.1

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

c28.s1.t2.2

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

c28.s1.t2.3

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

c28.s1.t2.4

(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(?).

c28.s1.t2.5

| **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*. |

c28.s1.t2.6

[Figure: Figure 8.4. MANGULAM 4-6

c28.s1.t2.7

Tracings. Scale: one-sixth.]

Mangulam - 4

c28.s1.t3.1

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

c28.s1.t3.2

B. *kaṇi-y natti-y koṭiy-avaṉ*³

c28.s1.t3.3

கணிய் நத்திய் கொடிய்அவன்

c28.s1.t3.4

**Natti, the *kaṇi*, engraved.⁴**

c28.s1.t3.5

c28.s1.t3.6

Notes

c28.s1.t3.7

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

c28.s1.t4.1

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

c28.s1.t4.2

**B.** *cantaritaṉ*² *koṭupitōṉ*³

c28.s1.t4.3

சந்தரிதன் கொடுபிதோன்

c28.s1.t4.4

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

c28.s1.t4.5

c28.s1.t4.6

Notes

c28.s1.t4.7

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.

c28.s1.t4.8

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

c28.s1.t4.9

3. *koṭuppittōṉ*.

c28.s1.t4.10

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

Mangulam - 6

c28.s1.t5.1

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

c28.s1.t5.2

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

c28.s1.t5.3

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.

c28.s1.t5.4

B. veḷ-aṟai nikamatōr³ koṭi-ōr⁴

c28.s1.t5.5

³ *nikamattōr*.

c28.s1.t5.6

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

c28.s1.t5.7

வெள்அறை நிகமதோர் கொடிஓர்

c28.s1.t5.8

The members of the merchant guild of Veḷḷaṟai carved.⁵

c28.s1.t5.9

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.

c28.s1.t5.10

c28.s1.t5.11

Notes

c28.s1.t5.12

[Figure: Figure 8.5. II. ARITTAPATTI

c28.s1.t5.13

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

II. Arittapatti

c28.s1.t6.1

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

c28.s1.t6.2

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.

c28.s1.t6.3

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

c28.s1.t6.4

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

c28.s1.t6.5

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.

c28.s1.t6.6

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

c28.s1.t6.7

⁵ *koṭuppittōṉ*.

c28.s1.t6.8

நெல்வெளிஇய் சிழிவன் அதினன் வெளியன் முழாகை கொடுபிதோன்

c28.s1.t6.9

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

c28.s1.t6.10

c28.s1.t6.11

Notes

c28.s1.t6.12

[Figure: Figure 8.6. III. TIRUVADAVUR 1

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Tracing. Scale: one-eighth.]

c28.s1.t6.14

III. TIRUVADAVUR (திருவாதவூர்) - 1

c28.s1.t6.15

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

c28.s1.t6.16

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

c28.s1.t6.17

பாங்காட அர்இதன் கொட்டுபிதோன்

c28.s1.t6.18

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

c28.s1.t6.19

c28.s1.t6.20

[Figure: Figure 8.7. TIRUVADAVUR 2

c28.s1.t6.21

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

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TIRUVADAVUR (திருவாதவூர்) - 2

c28.s1.t6.23

| 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 |

c28.s1.t6.24

உபசன் பர்அசு உறை கொட்டுபிதோன்

c28.s1.t6.25

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

c28.s1.t6.26

c28.s1.t6.27

Notes

c28.s1.t6.28

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*.

c28.s1.t6.29

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.

c28.s1.t6.30

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

c28.s1.t6.32

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

IV. Kilavalavu

c28.s1.t7.1

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

c28.s1.t7.2

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

c28.s1.t7.3

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

c28.s1.t7.4

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

c28.s1.t7.5

| **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-*. |

c28.s1.t7.6

[Figure: 11.

c28.s1.t7.7

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

c28.s1.t7.8

V. KONGARPULIYANKULAM (கொங்கர்புளியங்குளம்) - 1

c28.s1.t7.9

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

c28.s1.t7.10

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

c28.s1.t7.11

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

c28.s1.t7.12

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**.

c28.s1.t7.13

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

c28.s1.t7.14

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

c28.s1.t7.15

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

c28.s1.t7.16

⁶ *koṭuppittavaṉ*.

c28.s1.t7.17

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

c28.s1.t7.18

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

c28.s1.t7.19

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

c28.s1.t7.20

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

c28.s1.t7.21

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

c28.s1.t7.22

c28.s1.t7.23

Notes

c28.s1.t7.24

KONGARPULIYANKULAM (கொங்கர்புளியங்குளம்) - 2

c28.s1.t7.25

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

c28.s1.t7.26

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

c28.s1.t7.27

குறு கொடல்கு ஈத்தவன் செற்அதன்[ஒ]ன்

c28.s1.t7.28

Ceṟṟataṉ gave for carving (this ) section.⁸

c28.s1.t7.29

c28.s1.t7.30

Notes

c28.s1.t7.31

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

c28.s1.t7.33

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

c28.s1.t7.34

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

c28.s1.t7.37

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

c28.s1.t7.38

**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.

c28.s1.t7.39

**No. of lines** 1

c28.s1.t7.40

**Length** 183 cm.

c28.s1.t7.41

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

c28.s1.t7.42

**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).

c28.s1.t7.43

**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.

c28.s1.t7.44

*14.*

c28.s1.t7.45

[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

c28.s1.t8.2

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

c28.s1.t8.3

வெண்காஸிபன் குடுபித கல் கஞ்சணம்

c28.s1.t8.4

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

c28.s1.t8.5

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

c28.s1.t8.6

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

c28.s1.t8.7

**No. of lines** 1

c28.s1.t8.8

**Length** 426 cm.

c28.s1.t8.9

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

c28.s1.t8.10

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

c28.s1.t8.11

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

c28.s1.t8.12

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

c28.s1.t8.13

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

c28.s1.t8.14

Notes

c28.s1.t8.15

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.

c28.s1.t8.17

Figure 8.11. VII. VARICHIYUR 1-3 Inscriptions Nos. 15-17 Tracings. Scale: one-tenth.

c28.s1.t8.18

VII. VARICHIYUR (வரிச்சியூர்) - 1

c28.s1.t8.19

**15.** **A.** **pā¹ ḷ[i]² ya ko ṭu pi . . .³**

c28.s1.t8.20

**B.** **pa ḷ[i]-y⁴ koṭupi⁵ . . .**

c28.s1.t8.21

ப[ளி]ய் கொடுபி . . .

c28.s1.t8.22

The hermitage was caused to be given by . . .⁶

c28.s1.t8.23

c28.s1.t8.24

VARICHIYUR (வரிச்சியூர்) - 2

c28.s1.t8.25

*16.* **A.** **a** **ṭā** **...** **ṟai** **ī** **tā** **vai** **kā** **...** **o** **ṉa** **nū** **ṟu** **kā** **lā** **ne** **la...**

c28.s1.t8.26

**B.** *aṭā ... ṟai ītā vaika¹ ... ōṉ nūṟu kala² nel...*

c28.s1.t8.27

அடா ... றை ஈதா வைக ... ஒன் நூறு கல நெல் ...

c28.s1.t8.28

. . . behold ... to endow ... hundred *kalams* of paddy . . .³

c28.s1.t8.29

c28.s1.t8.30

**Notes**
1. *vaikka*. Cf. *vepōṉ* (*veppōṉ*) (LT *vaippōṉ*) (No. *13*).
2. From *kalam* 'a grain measure'.
3. Words of the fragmentary inscription, which could be made out, have been translated.

c28.s1.t8.31

VARICHIYUR (வரிச்சியூர்) - 3

c28.s1.t8.32

17. A. i ḷā nā tā ṇa kā ru ī ya nā la mu ḷa u kai

c28.s1.t8.33

**B. *iḷanataṇ*¹ *karu-iya*² *nalmuḷa-ukai*³**

c28.s1.t8.34

இளநதன் கருஇய நல்முழஉகை

c28.s1.t8.35

The auspicious cave was carved by Iḷanataṉ.

c28.s1.t8.36

c28.s1.t8.37

[Figure: *18.*

c28.s1.t8.38

*20.* Figure 8.12. VIII. VIKKIRAMANGALAM 1-3 Inscriptions Nos. *18-20*

c28.s1.t8.39

VIII. VIKKIRAMANGALAM (விக்கிரமங்கலம்) - 1

c28.s1.t8.40

*18.* **A.** **e¹ ī² ya la a ra ī ya tā ṉa ce³ vi ta o ṉa**

c28.s1.t8.41

**B.** *e-iyl*⁴ *ar-iytaṉ*⁵ *cēvit-ōṉ*⁶

c28.s1.t8.42

எஇயல் அர்இய்தன் சேவித்ஓன்

c28.s1.t8.43

**Ariytaṉ of Eyil caused to be made.**⁷

c28.s1.t8.44

**ILL.** Tracing: Fig. 8.12. Estampage: Pl. 12. **Locus** On the low ceiling of a small cave to the left of the main cave on the Uṇṭāṅkallu hill. **No. of lines** 1 **Length** 67 cm. **Date** ca. 2nd century B.C. **Publ.** *IAR* 1988-89:p. 94; *IAR* 1990-91:p. 84. G. Siromoney and E. Jebarajan 1978 (with eye copy). M. D. Sampath 1977-78: pp. 146-148 (with Pl. ). Natana Kasinathan 1994: No. 1.

c28.s1.t8.45

Notes

c28.s1.t8.46

1. The top right corner of the letter appears incomplete as it is engraved over a cleft in the rock.
2. Siromoney & Jebarajan read *i*; Sampath and Natana Kasinathan read *ra*.
3. Siromoney & Jebarajan read *ḍhe*; Sampath and Natana Kasinathan read *ce*.
4. Read *eyil*. Cf. LT *eyil* 'fortified place, a place name'.
5. *ariytaṉ*. Cf. *harita* (Skt.), *harīta* (Pkt. inscr.). Cf. *ar-itaṉ* (No. 8). See section 6.19.2 on the pause.
6. *cēvittōṉ*. Cf. (inscr.) *cēvittāṉ*, LT *ceyvittāṉ*. See also n.9, No. 2.
7. 'the cave' is understood from the context.

c28.s1.t8.47

VIKKIRAMANGALAM (விக்கிரமங்கலம்) - 2

c28.s1.t8.48

*19.* **A.** **e ma ū ra ci ḻi vā ṉa a tā ṉa $¹**

c28.s1.t8.49

¹ A symbol (discovered by our team in 1992). See section 5.18.

c28.s1.t8.50

**B.** **em ūr² ciḻivaṉ-a³ tāṉa⁴**

c28.s1.t8.51

² The alternative reading *ēma-ūr* as a place name is possible.

c28.s1.t8.52

³ The alternative reading *ciḻivaṉ ataṉ* as a composite personal name is possible but less likely, as we would then have many inscriptions ending with the same name Ataṉ (Nos. *19, 20, 28, 31-33*). It is much more likely that these votive inscriptions end with *tāṉa* 'gift' (of so-and-so) as in similar label inscriptions at Bharhut, Mathura, Sanchi, etc. However, the name Ataṉ also occurs in the Corpus (e.g., Nos. *36 & 40*).