Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c28.s3: Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu Inscriptions (101-121)
Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c28.s3
- Language
- English
Contents
- c28.s3.t1 XXXIII. Perumukkal — 6 parts
- c28.s3.t2 XXXIV. Arasalapuram — 5 parts
- c28.s3.t3 XXXV. Indalur — 7 parts
- c28.s3.t4 XXXVI. Erettimalai — 8 parts
- c28.s3.t5 XXXVII. Paraiyanpattu — 20 parts
- c28.s3.t6 XXXVIII. Tirunatharkunru — 15 parts
- c28.s3.t7 XXXIX. Pillaiyarpatti — 22 parts
- c28.s3.t8 XLI. Ezhuttukallu — 12 parts
- c28.s3.t9 XLII. Tamatakallu — 7 parts
Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu Inscriptions (101-121)
c28.s3.1
(ca. 5th and 6th Centuries A.D.)
c28.s3.2
[Figure: Figure 8.44. XXXI. SITTANNAVASAL-B 1
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XXXI. SITTANNAVASAL - B (சித்தன்னவாசல் - ஆ) - 1
c28.s3.4
*101.* **A.** **ca m¹ po $² y¹ kai pe ṭu tai³ ta ka l¹**
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**B.** *campoykaipēṭu⁴ taita⁵ kal*
c28.s3.6
சம்பொய்கைபேடு தைத கல்
c28.s3.7
The rock (shelter) was made by **Campoykaipēṭu**.
c28.s3.8
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.44. Estampage: Pl. 43. |
| **Locus** | First inscription (from left) in the upper line on a rock wall inside the lower cave on the hill; engraved on soft rock, permanently damp and covered with thick moss. There are faint traces of an earlier (?) layer of inscriptions seen to the left of No. *101* and right of No. *104*. See section 1.8.1(i). |
| **No. of lines** | 1 |
| **Length** | 169 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | ARE B. 338[A]/1992-93. |
| | S. Rajavelu 1995b:No. 1 (with eye copy). |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | All the basic consonants are marked by the *puḷḷi*. |
| 2. | A symbol (bow & arrow) is engraved between the 3rd & 4th letters. See section 5.18. |
| 3. | The *-ai* medial stroke is disproportionately large and spreads over the previous letter also. |
| 4. | A place name. Cf. LT *cem-* 'good', *poykai* 'pool', *pēṭu* 'hamlet'. The village made the gift collectively. |
| 5. | *taitta* 'which was made'. |
c28.s3.9
[Figure: *102.*
c28.s3.10
*104.* Figure 8.45. SITTANNAVASAL-B 2-4 Inscriptions Nos. *102-104* Tracings. Scale: one-tenth (No. *102*), one-eighth (Nos. *103* & *104*).]
c28.s3.11
SITTANNAVASAL - B (சித்தன்னவாசல் - ஆ) - 2
c28.s3.12
**102. A.** **pe¹ n² to ṭa ṉ² po¹ y² kai³ |⁴**
c28.s3.13
**B.** ***pentōṭaṉ poykai* |**
c28.s3.14
பெந்தோடன் பொய்கை |
c28.s3.15
The pond (is the gift) of **Pentōṭaṉ.**
c28.s3.16
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.45. Estampage: Pl. 43. |
| **Locus** | Second (middle) inscription in the upper line. |
| **No. of lines** | 1 |
| **Length** | 134 cm. |
| **Date** | *ca.* 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | *ARE* B. 338[B]/1992-93. |
| | K. Rajan 1993:p. 100 (with eye copy). S. Rajavelu 1995b:No. 5 (with eye copy). |
c28.s3.17
**Notes**
1. The medial short vowels *-e* and *-o* are marked by the *puḷḷi*.
2. All the basic consonants are marked by the *puḷḷi*.
3. The *-ai* medial sign is archaic for this period.
4. A vertical dividing line is engraved between this and the next inscription (No. *103*).
c28.s3.18
SITTANNAVASAL - B (சித்தன்னவாசல் - ஆ) - 3
c28.s3.19
*103.* **A.** **na¹ k² ka ṉ²**
c28.s3.20
**B.** ***nakkaṉ*³**
c28.s3.21
நக்கன்
c28.s3.22
Nakkaṉ.
c28.s3.23
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.45. Estampage: Pl. 44. |
| **Locus** | Third inscription (from left) in the upper line. |
| **No. of lines** | 1 |
| **Length** | 37 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | *ARE* B. 338[C]/1992-93. |
| | S. Rajavelu 1995b:No. 5 (with eye copy). |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | The first letter appears to be touching the second probably due to fissures in the rock surface. |
| 2. | Both the basic consonants are marked by the *puḷḷi*. |
| 3. | A personal name. See Commentary for discussion on etymology. |
c28.s3.24
SITTANNAVASAL - B (சித்தன்னவாசல் - ஆ) - 4
c28.s3.25
**104. A.** **ko¹ ṟ² ṟai kā y² va ṉ²**
c28.s3.26
**B.** ***koṟṟai³ kāyvaṉ⁴***
c28.s3.27
கொற்றை காய்வன்
c28.s3.28
Kāyivaṉ of Koṟṟai.
c28.s3.29
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.45. Estampage: Pl. 44. |
| **Locus** | Inscription in the middle line. (See No. *101* for further comments.) |
| **No. of lines** | 1 |
| **Length** | 101 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | *ARE* B. 338[D]/1992-93. |
| | S. Rajavelu 1995b:No. 6 (with eye copy). |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | The medial short *-o* is indicated by the *puḷḷi*. |
| 2. | All the basic consonants are marked by the *puḷḷi*. |
| 3. | A place name. |
| 4. | Read *kāyivaṉ*. Cf. LT *kācipaṉ*. |
c28.s3.30
*105.*
c28.s3.31
*106.*
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*107.*
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Figure 8.46. SITTANNAVASAL-B 5-7 Inscriptions Nos. *105-107* Tracings. Scale: one-tenth (No. *105*), one-eighth (Nos. *106* & *107*).
c28.s3.34
SITTANNAVASAL - B (சித்தன்னவாசல் - ஆ) - 5
c28.s3.35
**105.** **A.** **ca¹ m² po ka l² cā t² ta ṉ² |³**
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**B.** ***campokal⁴ cāttaṉ* |**
c28.s3.37
சம்பொகல் சாத்தன் |
c28.s3.38
Cāttaṉ of Campokal.
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| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.46. Estampage: Pl. 45A (Nos. *105-106*, left segment). |
| **Locus** | First inscription (from left) in the lower line. |
| **No. of lines** | 1 |
| **Length** | 130 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | *ARE* B. 338 [E]/1992-93. |
| | S. Rajavelu 1995b:No. 4 (with eye copy). |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | To be read as *ca*, in spite of the 'tail' and not *cu*. See n.7, No. *55*. |
| 2. | All the basic consonants are marked by the *puḷḷi*. |
| 3. | A vertical dividing line is engraved between this and the next inscription (No. *106*). |
| 4. | A place name. Cf. LT *cem*- 'good', *pukal* 'sanctuary'. |
c28.s3.40
SITTANNAVASAL - B (சித்தன்னவாசல் - ஆ) - 6
c28.s3.41
***106.* A.** **ci ṟu ce¹ ṉ² ṇa ṉ²**
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**B.** ***ciṟuceṇṇaṉ***
c28.s3.43
சிறுசெண்ணன்
c28.s3.44
***Ciṟuceṇṇaṉ.***
c28.s3.45
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.46. Estampage: Pl. 45A (Nos. *105-106*, right segment, incomplete). |
| **Locus** | Second (middle) inscription in the lower line. |
| **No. of lines** | 1 |
| **Length** | 79 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | ARE B. 338 [F]/1992-93. |
| | K. Rajan 1993: p. 100 (with eye copy). S. Rajavelu 1995b: No. 3 (with eye copy). |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | The medial short *-e* is indicated by the *puḷḷi*. |
| 2. | Both the basic consonants are marked by the *puḷḷi*. |
c28.s3.46
SITTANNAVASAL - B (சித்தன்னவாசல் - ஆ) - 7
c28.s3.47
***107.*** **A.** **kā ta ṉ¹**
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**B.** *kātaṉ*
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காதன்
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Kātaṉ.
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| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.46. |
| **Locus** | Third inscription (from left) in the lower line. |
| **No. of lines** | 1 |
| **Length** | 37 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | ARE B. 338[G]/1992-93. |
| | S. Rajavelu 1995b: No. 3 (with eye copy). |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | The final *ṉ* is marked by the *puḷḷi*. |
c28.s3.52
*108.*
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Figure 8.47. XXXII. TIRUCHIRAPALLI-B 1 Inscription No. *108*
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XXXII. TIRUCHIRAPALLI - B (திருச்சிராப்பள்ளி - ஆ) - 1
c28.s3.55
*108.* A. **a ka ra m¹ ku ca la ṉ¹**
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B. ***akaram kucalaṉ***
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அகரம் குசலன்
c28.s3.58
Kucalaṉ of Akaram.
c28.s3.59
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.47. |
| **Locus** | On the massive rock rising above the narrow passage on the northern face of the Rockfort hill; too weather-worn and faint to produce a legible estampage, but clearly visible to the naked eye. See section 1.8.1 (ii) and Fig. 1.15. |
| **No. of lines** | 1 |
| **Length** | 36 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | M. Nalini 1993: p. 50. I. Mahadevan 1997b: pp. 70-75 (with Pl.). |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | The two basic consonants are marked by the *puḷḷi* placed to the left of the respective letters. |
c28.s3.60
*111.* [Figure:]
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[Figure: Figure 8.48A. TIRUCHIRAPALLI-B 2 & 3 Inscriptions Nos. *109* & *110* Tracings. Scale: one-third.
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Figure 8.48B. XXXIII. PERUMUKKAL Inscription No. *111* Tracing. Scale: one-fourth.]
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TIRUCHIRAPALLI - B (திருச்சிராப்பள்ளி - ஆ) - 2
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*109.* A. **ce¹ n² ta ṉ² ṭa ṉ²**
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B. **centaṇṭaṉ**
c28.s3.66
செந்தண்டன்
c28.s3.67
Centaṇṭaṉ.
c28.s3.68
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.48A. Estampage: Pl. 45B. |
| **Locus** | Inscription at left on the rock floor of the narrow passage on the northern face of the hill. |
| **No. of lines** | 1 |
| **Length** | 32 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | ARE 136[A]/1937-38. |
| | TVM: (pp. 306-307). |
| | I. Mahadevan 1997b: pp. 70-75. |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | The medial short *-e* is marked by the *puḷḷi*. |
| 2. | All the basic consonants have the *puḷḷi*. |
c28.s3.69
TIRUCHIRAPALLI - B (திருச்சிராப்பள்ளி - ஆ) - 3
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*110.* A. L. 1 **ce¹ n² ta ṉ²** L. 2 **ṭa ṉ²**
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B. L. 1 **centaṉ-** L. 2 **ṭaṉ**
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L. 1 செந்தண் L. 2 டன்
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Centaṉṭaṉ.
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| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.48A. Estampage: Pl. 46A. |
| **Locus** | Inscription at right on the rock floor of the narrow passage on the northern face of the hill. |
| **No. of lines** | 2 |
| **Length** | L. 1: 24 cm.; L. 2: 10 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | *ARE* 136[B]/1937-38. |
| | TVM:(pp. 306-307). |
| | I. Mahadevan 1997b: pp. 70-75 (with Pl.). |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | The medial short -e is marked by the *puḷḷi*. |
| 2. | All the basic consonants have the *puḷḷi*. |
XXXIII. Perumukkal
c28.s3.t1.1
**111. A.** **i¹ rā ca ra²**
c28.s3.t1.2
**B.** ***irācar***
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இராசர்
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The kings.³
c28.s3.t1.5
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.48B. Estampage: Pl. 46B. |
| **Locus** | On the rear rock wall of the cave with rock carvings on the eastern slope of the hill. See section 1.8.1(iii). |
| **No. of lines** | 1 |
| **Length** | 32 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | A. Thasarathan and B. Kannaiyan 1993: pp. 114-154, Fig. 6. |
| | R. Vasanthakalyani 1994: pp. 23-30. K.Rajan 1997: pp. 304-306, Fig. 27 (eye copy). |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | An early form of the initial vowel *i* in Vaṭṭeḻuttu. It has been read as *po* by Vasanthakalyani. |
| 2. | What has been read as *ṉ* after this letter by Vasanthakalyani, is a natural cleft in the rock as verified *in situ*. |
| 3. | The label is engraved above the much older rock carvings which depict, *inter alia*, a personage seated in a covered vehicle. |
c28.s3.t1.9
Figure 8.49A. **XXXIV. ARASALAPURAM:** Inscription No. *112* Figure 8.49B. **XXXV. INDALUR:** Inscription No. *113* Figure 8.49C. **XXXVI. ERETTIMALAI:** Inscription No. *114* Tracings. Scale: one-fourth (Nos. *112* & *113*), one-half (No. *114*)
XXXIV. Arasalapuram
c28.s3.t2.1
***112.*** **A.** L. 1 **mu kai yu ru me ṟ¹ c[e]²** L. 2 **ri [ku]³ yā ṭi kka⁴** L. 3 **ru ki ya ko ḻi**
c28.s3.t2.2
**B.** L. 1 ***mukaiyuru⁵ mēṟc[ē]-*** L. 2 ***ri[ku]-y=āṭi⁶-k-ka-*** L. 3 ***rukiya⁷ kōḻi⁸***
c28.s3.t2.3
L. 1 **முகையுரு மேற்[G]ச** L. 2 **ரி[கு] யாடிக் க** L. 3 **ருகிய கோழி**
c28.s3.t2.4
**(The image of) the cock was engraved after it had fought on behalf of Mēṟcēri (in) Mukaiyūru.**
c28.s3.t2.5
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.49A. Estampage: Pl. 47A. |
| **Locus** | On a granite stele (62 x 55 cm.) found outside the local Piḷḷaiyār temple in the village, but now removed to the Public Works Department office compound at Viluppuram; upper two lines above the figure of a fighting cock, and the last line below; weather-worn and faint. See section 1.8.3. |
| **No. of lines** | 3 |
| **Length** | L. 1: approximately 32 cm. (end broken off); L. 2 & L. 3: 24 cm. each. |
| **Date** | ca. 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | *Dinamalar*, Pondicherry, November 13, 1991 (with Pl.). S. Rajavelu 1996: pp. 88-89. |
| | I Mahadevan 1997c: pp. 9-19, 1998a: p. 142 (with revised reading). K.Rajan 1997:pp. 315-316. |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | The basic consonant *ṟ* is marked by the *puḷḷi*. |
| 2. | The top of the letter is broken off along with the top right corner of the stele. |
| 3. | Rajavelu reads *ṭu*, followed by me earlier. The revised reading is based on fresh inspection *in situ*. |
| 4. | Rajavelu reads *ka*. The letter appears to be conjunct *kka*. (For another occurrence of this rare conjunct consonant, see n.5, No. ***115***.) |
| 5. | Read *mukaiyūru*. Probably same as Mukaiyur. See Map I and Table. 4.3. |
| 6. | *āṭi* may also be translated 'having played/having won'. |
| 7. | *karukkiya*. Cf. LT *karukku* (n.) 'engraving, carving'. Cf. *karu-iya* (No. ***17***). |
| 8. | The memorial was raised to honour the fighting cock which presumably died in the fight. See also No. ***113*** and the Commentary on it. See also section 4.23. |
XXXV. Indalur
c28.s3.t3.1
**113. A.** L. 1 **ki ḷa¹ c² ce ri k³ ko⁴ ḷi p[o]⁵** L. 2 **ṟa⁶ ko⁴ ṟa⁷ ṟi⁷**
c28.s3.t3.2
**B.** L. 1 ***kīḻ⁸-c-cēri-k-kōḻi p[o]-*** L. 2 ***ṟkoṟṟi⁹***
c28.s3.t3.3
L. 1 **கிழ்ச்சேரிக் கோழி [பொ]** L. 2 **ற்கொற்றி**
c28.s3.t3.4
**Porkoṟṟi, the (fighting) cock of Kīḻccēri.¹⁰**
c28.s3.t3.5
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.49B. Estampage: Pl. 47B. |
| **Locus** | On a granite stele (68 x 61 cm.) outside the Piḷḷaiyār temple in the village; above the figure of a fighting cock; weather-worn and faint. See section 1.8.3. |
| **No. of lines** | 2 |
| **Length** | L. 1: 43 cm.; L. 2: 23 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 6th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | Natana Kasinathan 1978: pp. 86-87. Thamaraikkannan 1979: pp. 120-129. |
| | I. Mahadevan 1997c: pp. 9-19 (with Pl.). |
c28.s3.t3.6
Notes
c28.s3.t3.7
1. Natana Kasinathan and Thamaraikkannan read *ḷu*.
2. The *puḷḷi* of this letter is placed at right in the middle of the line almost touching the next letter.
3. This letter seems to have been omitted at first by oversight and then engraved in a smaller size in the available space. The small *puḷḷi* placed over the letter is almost touching it.
4. Two different forms of the *-o* medial sign are seen in the 7th letter in L. 1 and the 2nd letter in L. 2.
5. Natana Kasinathan and Thamaraikkannan also read *po*. The right medial stroke is much shorter than the left apparently due to lack of space at the extreme right edge of the incuse.
6. Natana Kasinathan and Thamaraikkannan read *ṟu*.
7. The last two letters in L. 2 are read *t ta* by Natana Kasinathan and Thamaraikkannan.
8. Read *kīḻ-*. Cf. *mēṟcēri* (**No. 112**).
9. *porkoṟṟi* is the pet name given to the fighting cock.
10. See Commentary on the sport of cockfight in ancient Tamil country. See also section 4.23.
XXXVI. Erettimalai
c28.s3.t4.1
114. A.
c28.s3.t4.2
L. 1 **tu ṟu¹ ka ya yu ḷ²** L. 2 **ḷā ru ka l³**
c28.s3.t4.3
B.
c28.s3.t4.4
L. 1 ***tuṟukay⁴-y=uḷ-*** L. 2 ***ḷāru⁵ kal***
c28.s3.t4.5
L. 1 **துறுகய்யுள்** L. 2 **ளாரு கல்**
c28.s3.t4.6
The stone (stopper) fitted in the vent of the sluice.
c28.s3.t4.7
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.49C. Estampage: Pl. 48. |
| **Locus** | On a small, smooth, shoe-shaped stone-stopper (25 x 16 x 15 cm. approximately); slightly broken. Originally from Erettimalai (Īreṭṭimalai) and now in the collections of TNSA. See section 1.8.4 and Fig. 1.17. |
| **No. of lines** | 2 |
| **Length** | L. 1:11 cm; L. 2:14 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | *IAR* 1983-84:p. 156. |
| | Natana Kasinathan 1985: pp. 16-19 (with Pl.); 1988: pp. 116-118. |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | Natana Kasinathan reads *ṟa*. |
| 2. | The *puḷḷi* to the top right of this letter looks like a short vertical stroke. |
| 3. | The *puḷḷi* is placed to the right of this letter. |
| 4. | Variant of **tuṟukai*, probably 'outlet (*tūmpu*) of a channel'. Cf. *tuṟukal* 'stone stopper to close the *tūmpu*'. See Commentary for discussion. |
| 5. | A compound verb from *uḷ* 'in' + *āru* (LT *ār*) 'to be filled'. Cf. LT *uḷḷārnta*. |
c28.s3.t4.9
Figure 8.50. XXXVII. PARAIYANPATTU Inscription No. *115*
XXXVII. Paraiyanpattu
c28.s3.t5.1
L. 1 **na mo ta tu pā ṇā ṭa ṭu va [ca]**¹
L. 2 **ca ṇa na ti [ā]**² **cā**³ **ri [ya]**⁴
L. 3 **ra mā ṇā kka**⁵ **rā rā ta ṇi**⁶
L. 4 **no ṟ**⁷ **ṟu [m]u**⁸ **ṭi t**⁷ **ta . . .**⁹
L. 5 **ci̇ ti kai**
c28.s3.t5.2
¹ The top of the letter is broken off.
c28.s3.t5.3
² The lower portion of the letter is damaged.
c28.s3.t5.4
³ Venkatesan reads *ci*.
c28.s3.t5.5
⁴ The lower portion of the letter is damaged.
c28.s3.t5.6
⁵ Venkatesan identifies the letter as the conjunct consonant *kka*. See also n.4, No. **112**.
c28.s3.t5.7
⁶ Venkatesan reads *ṇ*. However, the hollow circle at the top of the letter is the *-i* medial sign.
c28.s3.t5.8
⁷ The two basic consonants in L. 4 are marked by the *puḷḷi*.
c28.s3.t5.9
⁸ The letter is damaged. The 'crossbar' in *mu* is omitted occasionally in Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu inscriptions.
c28.s3.t5.10
⁹ The last letter in L. 4. is lost due to flaking of the stone.
c28.s3.t5.11
B.
c28.s3.t5.12
L. 1 namōttu[/*] pāṇāṭṭu va[c]-
L. 2 caṇanti [ā]cāri[ya]-
L. 3 r māṇākkar=ārātaṇi¹⁰
L. 4 nōṟṟu [m]uṭitta [ni*]-¹¹
L. 5 ci̇tikai¹²
c28.s3.t5.13
¹⁰ *ārātaṇi* (< Skt. *ārādhanā*) 'the penance of fasting unto death'. Cf. (Ka. inscr.) *ārādhanā-vidhi*.
c28.s3.t5.14
¹¹ Restored as [*ni \**] from No. **116**.
c28.s3.t5.15
¹² *nicitikai* 'seat of penance'. Cf. (Ka. inscr.) *nisidige*. See Commentary and section 4.9.7.
c28.s3.t5.16
L. 1 நமோத்து[/*] பாணாட்டு வ[ச்]
L. 2 சணந்தி [ஆ]சாரி[ய]
L. 3 ர் மாணாக்கராராதனி
L. 4 நோற்று [மு]டித்த [நி*]
L. 5 சீதிகை
c28.s3.t5.17
Let there be salutation! The seat of penance (where) the disciple of Vaccaṇanti Ācāriyar of Pāṇāṭu completed observing the fast (unto death).
c28.s3.t5.18
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.50. Estampage: Pl. 49. |
| **Locus** | On the bare summit of the hill known as Cuṇaippāṟai; deeply engraved, but slightly damaged. See section 1.8.2 (ii). |
| **No. of lines** | 5 |
| **Length** | L. 1:125 cm.; L. 2:117 cm.; L. 3:116 cm.; L. 4:approximately 107 cm. (extant); L. 5:62 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 6th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | *ARE* B. 355/1984-85. *IAR* 1983-84:p. 157. P. Venkatesan 1977-78: pp. 174-176. (with Pl.). |
c28.s3.t5.19
Notes
c28.s3.t5.21
Figure 8.51. XXXVIII. TIRUNATHARKUNRU Inscription No. *116*
XXXVIII. Tirunatharkunru
c28.s3.t6.1
**116. A.** L. 1 **ai¹ m² pa t te ḻa ṇa** L. 2 **ca ṇa n no r̄ r̄a** L. 3 **ca n ti ra na n ti ā** L. 4 **ci ri ka ru³ ni cī ti kai**
c28.s3.t6.2
**B.** L. 1 **aimpattēḻ=aṇa-** L. 2 **caṉaṉ⁴=nōr̄r̄a⁵** L. 3 **cantirananti ā-** L. 4 **cirikaru⁶ nicītikai⁷**
c28.s3.t6.3
L. 1 **ஐம்பத்தேழன** L. 2 **சனந் நோற்ற** L. 3 **சந்திரநந்தி ஆ** L. 4 **சரிகரு நிசீதிகை**
c28.s3.t6.4
The seat of penance of Cantirananti Ācirikaru who observed the fast (unto death) for fifty-seven (days).⁸
c28.s3.t6.5
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.51. Estampage: Pl. 50. |
| **Locus** | On the bare summit of the hill known as Tirunātarkunṟu near Gingee (Senji) town; well-preserved. See section 1.8.2 (i) and Fig. 1.16. |
| **No. of lines** | 4 |
| **Length** | L.1:35 cm.; L.2:34 cm.; L.3 & L.4:35 cm. each. |
| **Date** | ca. 6th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | *ARE* 239/1904. *SII.* XVII:No. 262 (with Pl.); *TAS.* I 1908 (1988 reprint): p. 339 (with eye copy). IM: 76/1966; TVM: (pp. 300-301, Pl. 29). |
c28.s3.t6.6
Notes
c28.s3.t6.7
1. The earliest known occurrence of the initial vowel *ai* in Vaṭṭeḻuttu. See section 5.10: *ai*.
c28.s3.t6.8
2. A *puḷḷi* over one of the basic consonants was first noticed by me in 1991-92. Further search *in situ* by our team in 1995 has revealed that all the six basic consonants of this inscription are marked by the *puḷḷi*.
c28.s3.t6.9
3. The medial *-u* stroke of the letter *ru* was located *in situ* by our team in 1995.
c28.s3.t6.10
4. *aṇa-caṇa(m)* 'the penance of ceremonial fast unto death'.
c28.s3.t6.11
5. Sandhi of *aimpattēḻ(u)* + *aṇa-caṇa(m)* + *nōr̄r̄a*.
c28.s3.t6.12
6. Cf. LT *āciriyar*.
c28.s3.t6.13
7. *nicītikai*: 'seat of penance'. See n.12, No. *115*. See Commentary on Nos. *115* & *116* for interpretation of the Jaina technical terms. See also section 4.9.7.
c28.s3.t6.14
8. The context requires supply of the word 'days' here.
c28.s3.t6.16
[Figure: Figure 8.52. **XXXIX. PILLAIYARPATTI** Inscription No. *117* Tracing. Scale: one-fourth.]
XXXIX. Pillaiyarpatti
c28.s3.t7.1
L. 1 **e¹ k² kā ṭ ṭū ru** L. 2 **k ko ṉ pe ru n ta ca ṉ**
c28.s3.t7.2
**B.** L. 1 **ekkāṭṭūru-³** L. 2 **k-kōṉ peruntacaṉ⁴**
c28.s3.t7.3
L. 1 **எக்காட்டூரு** L. 2 **க் கோன் பெருந்தசன்**
c28.s3.t7.4
Chieftain of Ekkāṭṭūru, the master mason.⁵
c28.s3.t7.5
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.52. Estampage: Pl. 51. |
| **Locus** | On a pilaster of the western rock wall in the rock-cut Piḷḷaiyār shrine; well-preserved. See section 1.8.5. |
| **No. of lines** | 2 |
| **Length** | L. 1: 32 cm.; L. 2: 53 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 6th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | *ARE* 156/1935-36. *IM*:75/1966. |
| | *HTS*:20 (pp. 63-64); *RN*:19 (pp. 79-80); RPS:46 (pp. 103-197). |
| | I. Mahadevan 1965d, 1997d. |
c28.s3.t7.6
Notes
c28.s3.t7.7
1. The short vowel *e* is marked by the *puḷḷi* placed inside the letter.
2. All the six basic consonants are marked by the *puḷḷi*. The *puḷḷi* marks came to light when the thick layer of sandal paste on the pilaster was removed by our team (I. Mahadevan 1992:pp. 154-155).
3. Probably *ek-* < **eru-k*. Cf. *erukāṭu-ūru* (No. 52) and *erukāṭur* (No. 55). Cf. LT *erukkāṭṭūr*.
4. Reading according to RN; verified *in situ* at the time of checking the inscription again. *-taccaṉ*. Cf. (inscr.) *peruntaccaṉ*.
5. See Commentary on the dating of the rock-cut cave from palaeographic evidence.
c28.s3.t7.8
118.
c28.s3.t7.9
119.
c28.s3.t7.10
Figure 8.53. *XL. EDAKAL-B 1 & 2* Inscriptions Nos. *118 & 119* Tracings. Scale: one-eighth.
c28.s3.t7.11
XL. EDAKAL - B (எடக்கல் - ஆ) - 1
c28.s3.t7.12
A. **pa l¹ pu li tā t² ta kā ri**
c28.s3.t7.13
B. ***palpuli³ tātta kāri***
c28.s3.t7.14
பல்புலி தாத்த காரி
c28.s3.t7.15
Tātta Kāri of Palpuli.
c28.s3.t7.16
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.53. Estampage: Pl. 52. |
| **Locus** | On the south rock wall of the Edakal cave with prehistoric carvings; well-preserved. See section 1.8.6 (ii). |
| **No. of lines** | 1 |
| **Length** | 102 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | *ARE* 121/1897. *SII.* VI: No. 75. |
| | F. Fawcett 1901: Estampage No. 2; Pl. I, Fig. 1 (top line); Pl. II, Fig. 1 (top line at left); with comments by E. Hultzsch. |
| | I. Mahadevan and S. Swaminathan 1998: pp. 20-29. I. Mahadevan 1999: pp. 1-19 (with Pl.). |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | The letter is marked with a *puḷḷi*. Hultzsch read this earlier as *laṁ* treating the *puḷḷi* as the *anusvāra*, but later corrected the reading as *l*. |
| 2. | The letter is marked with a *puḷḷi*. Hultzsch reads *naṁ* . |
| 3. | A place name. |
c28.s3.t7.17
EDAKAL - B (எடக்கல் - ஆ) - 2
c28.s3.t7.18
**119. A.** **ve ṅ¹ ko ma lai ka c¹ ca va nu ca t¹ ti**
c28.s3.t7.19
**B.** *veṅkōmalai kaccavanu² catti*
c28.s3.t7.20
வெங்கோமலை கச்சவநு சத்தி
c28.s3.t7.21
Kaccavaṉu Catti of Veṅkōmalai.
c28.s3.t7.22
| **ILL.** | **Tracing: Fig. 8.53. Estampage: Pl. 52.** |
| **Locus** | **On the south rock wall of the cave; well-preserved.** |
| **No. of lines** | **1** |
| **Length** | **133 cm.** |
| **Date** | **ca. 5th century A.D.** |
| **Publ.** | **ARE 122/1897. *SII.* VI: No. 76.** |
| | **F. Fawcett 1901: Estampage No. 3; Pl. I, Fig. 2; Pl. II, Fig. 1 (top line at right).** |
| | **I. Mahadevan and S. Swaminathan 1998: pp. 20-29. I. Mahadevan 1999: pp. 1-19 (with Pl.).** |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | All the basic consonants are marked with the *puḷḷi*. |
| 2. | Read *kaccavaṉu*. Cf. *kaśyapa*, *kacchapa* (Skt.), gōtra names. |
XLI. Ezhuttukallu
c28.s3.t8.1
L. 1¹ **mā ca ko ṭu nī ra ṇa** L. 2² **vā ya**
c28.s3.t8.2
¹ L. 1 has been read *ma ē ti ṭa ni ra ṇa* in *ARE* and as *mā va ku ṭu nī ra ṇa* by Narayanan.
c28.s3.t8.3
² L. 2 has been read *vā ṟ* by Narayanan. This line has not been read in *ARE*.
c28.s3.t8.4
**B.** L. 1 *mācakōṭu nīr=aṇa-*³ L. 2 *vāy*
c28.s3.t8.5
³ Cf. Ta. *aṇai*, Ma. *aṇa* 'dam'.
c28.s3.t8.6
L. 1 மாசகோடு நீரண L. 2 வாய்
c28.s3.t8.7
Mouth of the dam⁴ (across) the watercourse at Mācakōṭu.
c28.s3.t8.8
⁴ See section 1.8.6 (i) on the probable purpose of the dam.
c28.s3.t8.9
| **ILL.** | Direct photograph (computer-enhanced): Pl. 53. |
| **Locus** | On a boulder in the Cherupuzha river in Neṭuṅkayam reserve forest near Nilambur (Kerala). Part of the inscription is submerged in water except in very dry weather. See section 1.8.6 (i) and Fig. 1.18. |
| **No. of lines** | 2 |
| **Length** | (Could not be measured as the inscription was partly submerged in the river.) |
| **Date** | ca. 5th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | *ARE* B. 281/1958-59. |
| | M.G.S. Narayanan 1972:pp. 317-321. I. Mahadevan 1996d: pp. 65-68 (with Pl.), 1999: pp. 1-19 (with Pl.). |
c28.s3.t8.10
Notes
c28.s3.t8.11
[Figure: Figure 8.54. XLII. TAMATAKALLU
c28.s3.t8.12
Tracing. Scale: one-half.]
XLII. Tamatakallu
c28.s3.t9.1
**121. A.** L. 1 **e ḻu ra** L. 2 **mo na la [ña]**¹ L. 3 **cā t**² **ta ṉ**²
c28.s3.t9.2
**B.** L. 1 **ēḻūr**³ L. 2 **mōṉala[ñ]**⁴**=** L. 3 **cāttaṉ**⁵
c28.s3.t9.3
L. 1 ஏழூர் L. 2 மோநல[ஞ்] L. 3 சாத்தன்
c28.s3.t9.4
Mōṉala(n) Cāttaṉ of Ēḻūr.⁶
c28.s3.t9.5
| **ILL.** | Tracing: Fig. 8.54. Estampage: Pl. 54. |
| **Locus** | On the rim of a herostone set up on the ridge of a field called Rāmadēvan to the east of the village near Chitradurga town. The herostone depicts the figures of three warriors and has also an inscription in Skt. above the figures. See section 1.8.6 (iii). |
| **No. of lines** | 3 |
| **Length** | L. 1:9 cm.; L. 2:12 cm.; L. 3:10 cm. |
| **Date** | ca. 6th century A.D. |
| **Publ.** | *Epi. Car.* XI (Rice), Chitaldurg, No. 42; the short Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu inscription in Tamil on the rim has not been noticed. |
| | B. Rajasekharappa (personal communication). K.G. Krishnan (quoted in personal communication from S. Swaminathan). I. Mahadevan and S. Swaminathan 1996: pp. 9-12 (with Pl.). |
| **Notes** | |
| 1. | The letter is indistinct. |
| 2. | The two basic consonants in L. 3 are marked by the *puḷḷi*. |
| 3. | Read *ēḻūr*. |
| 4. | L. 2 has been read as *mōnaguru* by Rajasekharappa and as *māṭalañ*- by Krishnan. |
| 5. | *mōnala(ṉ)* + *cāttaṉ* > *mōnalañcāttaṉ*. The composite name signifies Cāttaṉ, the son of Mōnalaṉ. -*ñ*- due to sandhi. |
| 6. | This inscription engraved in early Vaṭṭeḻuttu script on the rim of the herostone seems to be the signature of the Tamil sculptor as suggested by Rajasekharappa. See Commentary for discussion. |
c28.s3.t9.6
TAMIL-BRĀHMĪ AND EARLY VAṬṬEḶUTTU
c28.s3.t9.7
TAMIL-BRĀHMĪ AND EARLY VAṬṬEḶUTTU