Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c28.s1.t3.7

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.