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Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c28.s6: Early Tamil-Brāhmī Inscriptions

Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c28.s6

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Early Tamil-Brāhmī Inscriptions

I. Mangulam

c28.s6.t1.1

The three longer inscriptions at this site have near-identical openings which may be studied together comparatively for a better understanding of their archaic orthography.

c28.s6.t1.2

(n.) < *gaṇi* (Pkt.) < *gaṇin* (Skt.), title of the head of the order of Jaina monks known as the *gaṇa*. See section 4.9.3 (i) on the significance of the occurrence of this term in the cave inscriptions.

c28.s6.t1.3

The term *gaṇi* occurs frequently in Jaina Pkt. inscriptions (e.g.) *gaṇi aryya-buddha-śiri* (G. Bühler 1892, *EI.* I: pp. 371-397, No. xix); *gaṇi nandi* (G. Bühler 1894a, *EI.* II: pp. 195-212, No. xxiii). See also *gaṇin* 'Jaina ecclesiastic' (Lüders List: Index).

c28.s6.t1.4

The monastic tradition of *gaṇa* and *gaṇi* continued in the Tamil country even in later times. Cf. (inscr.) *gaṇī vajranandī* of the *nandi-saṃgha* (*Pallava Inscrs.* No. 17: Paḷḷaṉkōvil Plates, Skt. passage, ca. 6th cent. A.D. The date of the original grant is cited in this Commentary for linguistic studies even though the Plates appear to be a later copy as judged from palaeography. See section 5.20.2.). Cf. *kaṇi cēkkara-maru-poṟcūṟiyaṉ*, a Jaina teacher (*SII.* I: No. 66, Cōḻa, 11th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t1.5

The paragogic suffix **-y (1.1 & 2.1)** or **-i (3.1)** is added optionally after nouns ending in *-i* or *-ai*. The practice continued in later times also. Cf. (inscr.) *kuratti-y* 'nun', *aṟuṭṭuṇai-y* 'a personal name' (*SII.* V: Nos. 320 & 352 respectively, Pāṇṭiya, ca. 9th cent. A.D.). The paragogic suffix *-y* is also found in some of the palm-leaf manuscripts of *Puṟanāṉūṟu* (U.Ve. Swaminathaiyar, 6th edn., p. 18). See section 7.8.1.

c28.s6.t1.6

N. of the senior Jaina monk, variously written. The name may be normalised as Nanta-siri Kuvaṉ. He was the recipient of the gift of the hermitages recorded in these three inscriptions. The largest stone bed, centrally situated and raised higher than the rest in the upper middle cave at this site, might have been his seat. Nanta-siri appears to be the monastic name assumed by the monk when he was ordained, and Kuvaṉ, his earlier given name or possibly the clan name, which indicates his Tamil origin.

c28.s6.t1.7

Bare stems from *nantaṉ*/*nataṉ* (N.) with elision of the PNG suffix **-aṉ** before adding the honorific suffix *-siri*.

c28.s6.t1.8

Cf. *naṁda* (Pkt.) < *nanda* (Skt.) lit., 'happiness'; occurs here as a personal name. Cf. (Pkt. inscr.) *naṁda* (Lüders List: No. 289); *nada* (with the nasal *ṁ* dropped) (ibid. No. 1032); *nada* (Sinh. Pkt., Paranavitana 1970: Nos. 681 and 1105).

c28.s6.t1.9

Cf. LT *nantaṉ* 'a personal name' (*Aka.* 251:5). Cf. **nataṉ** (**48.4**) and **iḷanataṉ** (**17.1**).

c28.s6.t1.10

In **nanta-a-** (**1.2.a**), the attributive suffix **-a** appears to be superfluous when compared with **nanta-** (**2.2.a**) and **nata-** (**3.2.a**).

c28.s6.t1.11

1.2.b siri-y-i 2.2.b siri-y 3.2.b siri-y

c28.s6.t1.12

(n.) < *siri* (Pkt.) < *śrī* (Skt.) 'auspiciousness', an honorific affixed to proper names. While it is generally prefixed as an attribute, it may also be suffixed as a substantive as in this case.

c28.s6.t1.13

Cf. (Pkt. inscr.) *naṁda-sirī* (fem.); *caṁda-siri*, *nāga-siri*, *mūla-siri* (all masc.) (Lüders List: Nos. 1127, 1202-03); *khāravēla-siri* (ibid. No. 1345). Cf. also *śiri* (Sinh. Pkt.) in *śiriguta* 'a personal name'; (Paranavitana 1970: No. 529).

c28.s6.t1.14

In later Tamil inscriptions *siri* is sometimes written as *ciri*. Cf. *ciri kaṅkaraicaru* (*Pallava Inscrs.* No. 291, ca. 7th cent. A.D.); *ciri vicaiya-k-kurattiyār* (*SII.* V: No. 322, Pāṇṭiya, ca. 9th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t1.15

The paragogic suffix **-y-i** (**1.2.b**) is a variant of **-y**.

c28.s6.t1.16

1.2.c kuv-aṇkē 2.2.c ku-aṇ 3.2.c kuva[ṇ*]

c28.s6.t1.17

(N.) The personal or clan name which may be normalised as Kuvaṇ is not attested elsewhere, but may probably be compared with *kuvāvaṉ*, N. of a chieftain (K. V. Subrahmanya Aiyer 1915-16, *EI.* XIII: p. 139, ca. 8th cent. A.D.; *Pallava Inscrs.* No. 106, 9th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t1.18

Cf. LT *kuvavu* 'greatness' (*Cūṭā.* 8:10; *TL* cites Te. *kuvva* under this entry).

c28.s6.t1.19

The PNG suffix **-aṇ** is added in free form in two variants of the word (**1.2.c** & **2.2.c**). Such 'analytical' writing is a characteristic feature of the Early Ta. Br. inscriptions and does not represent 'alphabetic' writing with separation of consonants and vowels. See section 6.18 on 'analytical' writing.

c28.s6.t1.20

**-kē** (**1.2.c**) is the dative suffix-*ku* with the addition of the emphatic particle *-ē*.

c28.s6.t1.21

Sandhi: *ku* + *ē* > *kē*.

c28.s6.t1.22

Cf. (inscr.) *nallaṉ-kiḻāṇē* (Pulankurichi Inscrs. II. 11, ca. 5th cent. A.D., *Āvaṇam*, 1: pp. 57-69); *vajranandi-k-kuravar-k-kē* (*Pallava Inscrs.* No. 17, ca. 6th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t1.23

**1.3** ***dhammam*** **2.3** ***dhamam*** (n.) < *dhaṁma*, *dhama* (Pkt.) < *dharma* (Skt.). Cf. (Pāli inscr.) *dhaṁmaṁ*, *dhamaṁ* (Asoka, *CII*. I:Gir. IV.9, XIII. 10); (Pkt. inscr.) *dhaṁma*, *dhama* (Lüders List: Index); (Pkt. inscr.) *dē dhamō...* 'religious gift given by ...' (inscribed pottery from Arikamedu, ca. 1st cent. A.D., I. Mahadevan 1973:No. V). The meaning of the term in the present context is 'religious gift, charity, endowment'. Cf. LT *tarumam* 'virtuous conduct' (*Tivā*.1520); '*aṟam*' (*Cūṭā*. 8:39); *tarumamum takkārkkē* 'charity to the deserving' (*Nālaṭi*. 250). The term occurs in this sense frequently in later Tamil inscriptions. Cf. *dharma* 'meritorious gift, charity' (*SII*. I: Index).

c28.s6.t1.24

**1.4** ***ittā-a*** **2.4** ***ītā*** (intj.) 'lo, behold, look here!', ultimately derived from *iḥtu* 'this', the proximate demonstrative pronoun (D. 410). Cf. LT *itā* (*Cīvaka*. 1232), *ītā* (*Pari*. 8:60).

c28.s6.t1.25

The form ***ittā-a*** (**1.4**) appears to be a case of vowel-elongation (*uyir aḷapeṭai*) to emphasise the sense of wonder already expressed by the interjection.

c28.s6.t1.26

Cf. LT *ēe ōo eṉa viḷi ēṟpikka* 'as she called out 'hey' and 'oh'!' (*Pari*. 19:61 cited in V.S. Rajam 1992: pp. 258, 263).

c28.s6.t1.27

***ītā*** (**2.4**) may be read as *itā* also, as the character *ī* was also employed to write *i* in the Early Ta. Br. inscriptions; e.g., ***iḷañcaṭikaṉ*** (**2.7**). See section 6.14. However, the reading ***ītā*** is more likely here as shown by the contrast with ***ittā-(1.4)***. The variant *ītā* is also probably more ancient than *itā* (T. Murugarathanam 1994:pp. 15-20).

c28.s6.t1.28

**1.5** ***neṭuñcaliyaṉ*** **2.5** ***neṭiñcaliyaṉ*** (N.) The name may be normalised as Neṭuñceḻiyaṉ. He was most probably the reigning king of the Pāṇṭiya dynasty. See section 4.2.1 for the identification.

c28.s6.t1.29

**1.5.a** ***neṭu(m)-*** **2.5.a** ***neṭi(m)-*** (adj.) 'senior'. Cf. *neṭumai* 'greatness' (D. 3738). The attribute is prefixed to distinguish the senior members of a family (father or elder brother) from the junior members with the same name. See section 4.18.4.

c28.s6.t1.30

Cf. LT *neṭuñcēralātaṉ* 'N. of a Cēra king' (*Patiṟ*. 20:5); *neṭumai* (lit.) 'length' (*Tivā*. 1374; *Cūṭā*. 8:13).

c28.s6.t1.31

Cf. (inscr.) *teṉṉavar kō neṭumāṟaṉ* (*SII*. XIV: No. 44, Pāṇṭiya, ca. 9th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t1.32

The variant ***neṭi-*** (**2.5.a**) may be compared with LT *neṭiya-*, *neṭityōṉ* (*TL*).

c28.s6.t1.33

Sandhi:*-m* > *-ñ-* before *-c*.

c28.s6.t1.34

**1.5.b & 2.5.b** ***caliyaṉ*** (N.) Cf. LT *ceḻiyaṉ*, one of the generic names of the Pāṇṭiya dynasty (*Aka*. 36:13; *Puṟa*. 76:9; *Tivā*. 182; *Piṅkala*. 750; *Cūṭā*. 2:20). The name is also attested in inscriptions (*Pāṇṭiyar Ceppēṭukaḷ*: No. 1, ca. 8th cent. A.D.). Cf. *ceḻi* 'to prosper (as kingdom, family, country)' (D. 2789).

c28.s6.t1.35

**1.6 *paṇa-aṉ*** (n.) Cf. *paṇavaṉ* 'servant' (*TL*) from *paṇ* 'service, work, employment' (D. 3884). The expression may be interpreted in this context as 'officer, high functionary' as he served under the king. The PNG suffix **-aṉ** is added in free form.

c28.s6.t1.36

**1.7 *kaṭal-aṉ vaḻutti-y*** N. of the donor. He was probably a Pāṇṭiya prince or vassal. The name may be normalised as Kaṭalaṉ Vaḻuti.

c28.s6.t1.37

**a. *kaṭal-aṉ* (*kaṭalaṉ*)** (N.) Cf. LT *kaṭalaṉ*, the chieftain of Viḷaṅkil (*Aka.* 81:13). The name was also borne by one of the Caṅkam poets (author, *Aka.* 72, etc.). This is an appellative noun derived from *kaṭal* 'sea' (D. 1118) with the addition of the PNG suffix *-aṉ* in free form. Kaṭalar are described as the people of the *neytal* (maritime) tract (*Tivā.* 300; *Piṅkala.* 600; *Cūṭā.* 2:72).

c28.s6.t1.38

The name **kaṭāla-aṇa (*kaṭalaṉ*)** occurs in the Ta. Br. legend on a local coin from Sri Lanka (see No. 4, Table 1.6).

c28.s6.t1.39

**b. *vaḻutti-y*** Read *vaḻuti*- (N.) One of the generic Pāṇṭiya names (*Aka.* 93: 9; *Puṟa.* 3:13; *Tivā.* 182; *Piṅkala.* 750; *Cūṭā.* 2:20).

c28.s6.t1.40

Cf. *peruvāḻuti (peruvaḻuti)*, Ta.Br. legend on an Early Pāṇṭiya coin (Nos. 1 & 2, Table 1.6).

c28.s6.t1.41

Cf. (inscr.) *vaḻuti* (*SII.* XIV: No. 93, Pāṇṭiya, ca. 10th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t1.42

Cf. *vāḻ* 'to flourish, be happy', *vaḻuttu* 'to bless, praise' (D. 5372). The doubling of consonants *-tt-* is superfluous here. Cf. ***mattirai* (for *matirai*) (38.1)**.

c28.s6.t1.43

*-y* is the paragogic suffix.

c28.s6.t1.44

**1.8 *koṭṭupitta-a*** (v.) 'which was caused to be carved'; adjectival past participle, causative, from *koṭṭu* 'to hammer' (D. 2063).

c28.s6.t1.45

**Analysis:** *koṭṭu* (stem) + *pi* (causative suffix) + *tt* (past tense marker) + *a* (participial suffix) + *a* (additional participial suffix in free form which appears to be superfluous). Cf. ***nanta-a-*** **(1.2.a)** for another superfluous suffix in this inscription.

c28.s6.t1.46

In the present context where stone beds and drip ledges were hammered and chiselled into shape from live rock in natural caves, the verb *koṭṭu* is best translated 'to carve'. The usage is attested in later Tamil inscriptions also. Cf. *paṭimam koṭṭuvittāṉ* 'he caused the image to be carved' (*Pallava Inscrs.* No. 85, 8th cent. A.D.). The word has been borrowed by IA from Dr. Cf. *koṭṭēti* 'to pound', *silā-koṭṭakō* 'stonecutter, mason' (Pāli).

c28.s6.t1.47

Cf. LT *koṭṭal* 'to beat' (*Tivā.* addition after 1770; *Cūṭā.* 9:30).

c28.s6.t1.48

**1.9 *paḷi-iy*** (*paḷḷi-* ) (n.) Cf. *paḷḷi* 'hermitage, temple, especially of Buddhists and Jains, sleeping place, school' (D. 4018). The original meaning 'sleeping place' (*Aka.* 93:14, *Puṟa.* 33:20; *Tivā.* 979) was later extended to 'hermitage' (*Tivā.* 951; *Piṅkala.* 703; *Cūṭā.* 5:56). See section 4.9.8(i).

c28.s6.t1.49

Cf. LT *mātavar paḷḷi* 'the hermitage of the great ascetic' (*Maṇi.* 18:8); *paḷḷi* 'place of monks, a Jaina temple' (*Piṅkala.* 3800).

c28.s6.t1.50

Cf. (inscr.) *tāpata-p-paḷḷi* 'hermitage of (Jaina) ascetics' (Pulankurichi *Inscrs.* II. 5, ca. 5th cent. A.D.); *paḷḷi-c-cantam* 'gift of land to a Jaina hermitage (*Pallava Inscrs.* No. 17, ca. 6th cent. A.D.); *i-p-paḷḷi uṭaiyārai nīkki* 'excluding those belonging to this hermitage' (ibid. No. 74, ca. 8th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t1.51

The consonant *ḷ* occurs without doubling. However, there is no doubt that long consonants existed in the inscriptional language during this period as proved by pairs like *paḷi-* and *paḷḷi* (**89.4** & **88.1**) in adjacent inscriptions. See section 6.17.

c28.s6.t1.52

**pā ḷi** may not be equated with *pāḷi* 'hermitage' (D. 4112) though the meaning is the same, as there is no other instance of the sounds *l* and *ḷ* falling together in the Ta. Br. inscriptions.

c28.s6.t1.53

*-iy* is a variant of the paragogic suffix *-y*. Cf. ***kāviti-iy*** (**3.5**) and ***nelveḷi-iy*** (**7.1**).

c28.s6.t1.54

**2.1-2.5** See under **1.1-1.5** respectively.

c28.s6.t1.55

**2.6 *sālakaṉ*** (n.) 'sister-in-law's husband' < *sālaka* (Pāli) 'brother-in-law' < *syālaka* (Skt.) 'wife's brother' (MW).

c28.s6.t1.56

Cf. LT *cakalaṉ* 'wife's sister's husband' (*Piṅkala.* 899; *Cūṭā.* 2:77), *cālakaṉ* 'sister-in-law's husband' (*TL*). The intended meaning here is 'sister-in-law's husband' as otherwise the donor would have described himself more directly and simply as the 'father-in-law' of ***neṭiñcaḷiyaṉ***.

c28.s6.t1.57

**2.7 *iḷañcaṭikaṉ*** (N.) lit., Caṭikaṉ, the junior. He is the son of ***caṭikaṉ*** (**2.9**).

c28.s6.t1.58

**a. *iḷa(m)-*** (adj.) 'junior'. Cf. *iḷa*, *iḷam* 'young' (D. 513). See section 4.18.4.

c28.s6.t1.59

Cf. LT *iḷamperuñceṉṉi* 'N. of a Cōḻa king' (*Aka.* 375:11); *iḷamai* 'youth' (*Tivā.* 1510; *Piṅkala.* 1948; *Cūṭā.* 8:27).

c28.s6.t1.60

Cf. (inscr.) *(i)ḷaṅ-kūṟṟaṉ* 'a personal name' (Pulankurichi *Inscrs.* I. 20, ca. 5th cent. A.D.); *iḷa(m)paḍuvaṉār* 'a personal name' (*Pallava Inscrs.* No. 92, 8th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t1.61

Sandhi:*-m-* > *-ñ-* before *-c-*.

c28.s6.t1.62

**b. *caṭikaṉ*** See **2.9**.

c28.s6.t1.63

**2.8** ***tantai-y*** (n.) 'father' (D. 3067). ***-y*** is the paragogic suffix.

c28.s6.t1.64

Cf. LT *niṉ tantai tāy vāḻiyar* 'may your father and mother live (long)!' (*Puṟa.* 137:14-15); *tantai* 'father' (*Tivā.* 310; *Piṅkala.* 907; *Cūṭā.* 2:75).

c28.s6.t1.65

**2.9** ***caṭikaṉ*** N. of the donor. He is the father of Iḷañcaṭikaṉ through whom he claims kinship with Neṭiñcaḻiyaṉ. The name is not attested elsewhere, but may probably be compared with Caṭaiyaṉ, a generic name of the Pāṇṭiyas occurring in inscriptions from the early medieval period (*SII.* XIV: Index). It is noteworthy that ***caṭikaṉ*** commences with *ca-* not permissible in LT (*Tol. Eḻu.* 62). Cf. **cam- (101.1.a, 105.1.a)**. See section 7.6.2.1(ii).

c28.s6.t1.66

**2.10** ***cē-iya*** (v.) 'which was made'; adjectival past participle from *cē* (LT *cey*) 'to make' (D. 1957).

c28.s6.t1.67

**Analysis:** *cē* (stem) + *i* (past tense marker) + *y* (glide) + *a* (participial suffix). Cf. ***cēvit-ōṉ*** **(18.3)**, ***cēy-a*** **(31.2)** and ***cētavar*** **(35.3)** for other similar forms. The form ***cē-iya*** is not attested elsewhere; but the verb occurs as *cē* in early medieval inscriptions.

c28.s6.t1.68

Cf. (inscr.) *cēta* (*ceyta*) (*Pallava Inscrs.* No. 268, ca. 9th cent. A.D.); *cēvittāṉ* (*ceyvittāṉ*) (*SII.* V: No. 406, Pāṇṭiya, ca. 9th cent. A.D.). See A. Velu Pillai 1976: pp. 5 and 143 for more examples from inscriptions of 6-9 cent. A.D. Cf. Te. *cēyu* 'to do', *cēta* 'doing' (D. 1957).

c28.s6.t1.69

**2.11** ***paḷi-y*** (*paḷḷi-*) (n.) 'hermitage'. ***-y*** is the paragogic suffix. See **1.9** for comments.

c28.s6.t1.70

**3.1 & 3.2** See under **1.1 & 1.2** respectively.

c28.s6.t1.71

**3.3** ***veḷ-aṟai-y*** (*veḷḷaṟai-*) (P.) Written as two independent words ***veḷ*** and ***aṟai***, followed by the paragogic suffix ***-y***. Cf. Tiru-veḷḷaṟai, a village in Tiruchirapalli District (*SII.* XIV:No. 12, Pāṇṭiya, 9th cent. A.D.). However, the place mentioned in the inscription may more plausibly be identified as the modern village of Veḷḷari-ppaṭṭi to the south of this hill (V. Vedachalam, personal communication). See Table 4.3.

c28.s6.t1.72

**a.** ***veḷ-*** (adj.) 'white' (D. 5496a).

c28.s6.t1.73

Cf. LT *veṇmai* 'white' (*Tivā.* 1389; *Piṅkala.* 1930; *Cūṭā.* 8:20); *veḷḷai* 'white' (*Tivā.* 2249; *Piṅkala.* 4098; *Cūṭā.* 11:265).

c28.s6.t1.74

**b.** ***aṟai*** (n.) 'rock' (D. 321).

c28.s6.t1.75

Cf. LT *aṟai* 'rock' (*Tivā.* 863; *Piṅkala.* 499; *Cūṭā.* 5:14).

c28.s6.t1.76

**3.4** ***nikamatu*** (*nikamattu*) (n. obl.) 'of the merchant guild'. See section 4.16.1.

c28.s6.t1.77

Cf. LT *nikamam* 'a caravan of merchants' (*TL*); *niyamattu* 'of the market place'. (*Patiṟ.* 15:19, 30:12); *niyamam* 'market' (*Tivā.* 2200); 'town, street' (*Piṅkala.*

c28.s6.t1.78

3727); *nikamam* 'town of *marutam* region' (*Cūṭā.* 5:40); 'main street' (ibid. 5:47). Cf. **nikamatōr** (**6.2**).

c28.s6.t1.79

Cf. *nigama* (Skt.) 'a caravan or company of merchants, market place' (MW); *nigama* (Pāli) 'market town'.

c28.s6.t1.80

Cf. (Pkt. inscr.) *nigama* 'town' (*Bhārhut Inscrs.* No. A5).

c28.s6.t1.81

*-tu* (*-ttu*) is the suffix of the oblique case.

c28.s6.t1.82

3.5 *kāviti-iy

c28.s6.t1.83

(n.) *kāviti* is an ancient title bestowed by the Pāṇṭiya kings on the Vēḷāḷar (*Tol. Poruḷ.* 30, comm., Nacc.), ministers (*Matu.* 497-99; *Tivā.* 188; *Piṅkala.* 842), palace officials (*Cilap.* 22:9) and Vaiśyas including women (*Peruṅ.* 2.3:144-45). In the present inscription, the title is borne by an official (see **3.6** below) who is also a member of the merchant guild of Veḷḷaṟai. Cf. also ***kāviti kōn*** 'chief *kāviti*' (**52.2**). See section 4.6.9.

c28.s6.t1.84

*- iy* is a variant of the paragogic suffix *-y*.

c28.s6.t1.85

Cf. (inscr.) *śrī kaviti* 'a title' (Pallava, ca. 7th cent. A.D., Michael Lockwood 1993: p. 163); *peruṅkāviti* id. (*Pallava Inscrs.* No. 119, 9th cent. A.D.); *kāvati* 'revenue officer' (*SII.* XIV: Nos. 16 & 27, Pāṇṭiya, ca. 8-9 cent. A.D.); *kāvati* 'a title' (Line 9, Copper Plate of Rājaśekhara, ca. 8-9 cent. A.D.; *kāvati-y-ār* id., Line 619, Tiruvalla Plates, ca. 9-10 cent. A.D. *TAS* II-III, reprint 1992); *kāviti* 'part of personal names' (*SII.* XIV: Nos. 79, 82, 83; 10th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t1.86

The expression *kāviti* seems to be derived ultimately from *gṛhapati* (Skt.) 'householder' > *gahapati* (Pkt.); cf. *gapati*/*gapiti* (Sinh. Pkt.) 'title borne by merchants and others' (Paranavitana 1970: Intr. pp. lxxxviii-lxxxix). The term *gahapati* occurs in Prakrit inscriptions as a title with the same meaning. It is likely that *kāviti* had a somewhat similar significance in early times in the Tamil country also. In still later times, the term *kāviti* came to mean an 'accountant' as in medieval Tamil inscriptions.

c28.s6.t1.87

Cf. LT *kāvitiyar* 'kaṇakkar (accountants)' (*Cūṭā.* 2:22).

c28.s6.t1.88

Cf. (inscr.) *kāvitimai ceyya . . . cempiyaṉ peruṅkāvitikku* 'To Cempiyaṉ Peruṅkāviti to do duty as an accountant' (*SII.* II: No. 66, Cōḻa, 11th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t1.89

3.6 *kāḷitika-

c28.s6.t1.90

Read *kāḷatika-*. From *kāḷ-atikaṉ* (n.) 'superintendent of pearls'. The error is probably due to the spoken form with accent on the first syllable. See section 4.6.7.

c28.s6.t1.91

a. ***kāḷ*** (n.) 'pearl' (*TL*). Cf. *kāḻ* 'seed, stone, nut, kernel' (D. 1493) giving the clue to the etymology of the word.

c28.s6.t1.92

Cf. LT *parūu-k-kāḻ-āram* 'garland of heavy pearls' (*Matu.* 681; *Cilap.* 4:41).

c28.s6.t1.93

**b. *itika*-** Read *atika-*. Attribute from *atikaṉ* (n.) 'superintendent, chief'. Cf. *atikaṉ* 'superior person' (*TL*); *adhika* (Pkt.) 'superintendent'; *adhyaksha* (Skt.) id.

c28.s6.t1.94

Cf. LT *atikaṉ*, N. of several chieftains (*Aka.* 162:18; *Kuṟun.* 393:4); *atikar* 'great personages' (*Cūṭā.* 12:99). Cf. ***kaṇatikaṉ*** 'chief of scribes' (**40.1**) for a similar designation. See section 4.6.6.

c28.s6.t1.95

**3.7 antai asutaṉ** N. of the donor.

c28.s6.t1.96

**a. *antai*** (n.) An honorific added as a term of respect to the name of a senior or elder person in the family or a person of rank or eminence in the village. In the Ta. Br. inscriptions, *antai* occurs either as a prefix as in this case or as a suffix; in the latter case, it is added either in free form as in ***kuvira-antai*** (**31.1**) or in bound form as in ***korṟantai*** (**67.1**). The honorific has survived in later times only as a bound suffix. See **66.2** for conclusive evidence on the meaning of *anṟai*. See section 3.2.2 (v) on the linguistic significance of the term.

c28.s6.t1.97

Cf. (inscr.) *antai-y cāmpāṉ* 'a personal name' (Kodumanal, Ta. Br. inscription on pottery; K. Rajan 1997:Fig. 11).

c28.s6.t1.98

Perhaps one of the last known occurrences of *antai* as an independent word is found in an early medieval inscription, *ivvūr antai iḻaiyār pavaṇanti* 'Iḻaiyār Pavaṇanti, the *antai* of this village' (M.D. Sampath 1968: pp. 157-162, 8th cent. A.D. The reading was checked again from the estampage by Sampath at my request).

c28.s6.t1.99

**b. *asutaṉ*** (*assutaṉ*) (N.) Cf. *assuta* (Pāli), *assuda* (AMg.) < *aśruta* (Skt.), lit., 'unheard'. The expression is attested as a personal name in Skt. (*MW*).

c28.s6.t1.100

**3.8 piṇa-u** (n.) 'cave' (?). Not attested elsewhere in this sense; but cf. *piḷavu* 'cleft, crevice' (D. 4194). This particular cave is in fact hardly more than a cleft in the rock. The proposed interpretation is tentative.

c28.s6.t1.101

**-*u*** is the derivational suffix added directly to the stem.

c28.s6.t1.102

**3.9 koṭupitōṉ** (*koṭuppittōṉ*) (v.) 'he who caused to be given'; past participial noun, causative, 3rd person masculine singular, from *koṭu* 'to give to 3rd person' (D. 2053).

c28.s6.t1.103

**Analysis**: *koṭu* (stem) + *pi* (causative suffix) + *t* (past tense marker) + *ōṉ* (PNG suffix). The consonants *-p-* and *-t-* are not doubled. The use of the participial noun rather than the finite verb is a characteristic feature of the Ta. Br. inscriptions. See section 7.30.

c28.s6.t1.104

Cf. LT *koṭuttal* 'to give' (*Piṅkala.* 3107; *Cūṭā.* 11:202).

c28.s6.t1.105

The Corpus provides examples of both *koṭṭu* 'to carve' and *koṭu* 'to give', which may be distinguished from the context and the differing grammatical forms (see Inscriptional Glossary in Appendix I).

c28.s6.t1.106

**4.1 kaṇi-y** (n.) 'title of the Jaina monk'. See **1.1**.

c28.s6.t1.107

**4.2 natti-y** N. of the senior Jaina monk. *-y* is the paragogic suffix.

c28.s6.t1.108

Cf. (Pkt. inscr.) *naṁdi*, *nadi* (Lüders List:Nos. 463-466 and 284 respectively) < *nandin* (Skt.). Note the omission of the nasal *ṁ* and doubling of the following consonant. Cf. ***natti*** (**69.3**). See also ***-nanti*** (**116.4.b**) and ***-ṇanti*** (**115.3.b**) occurring as part of the personal names of Jaina monks.

c28.s6.t1.109

**4.3 koṭiy-avaṉ** (*koṭṭi-*) (v.) 'he who carved (engraved)'; past participial noun, 3rd person masculine singular, from *koṭṭu* 'to hammer'.

c28.s6.t1.110

**Analysis:** *koṭu* (*koṭṭu*) (stem) + *i* (past tense marker) + *y* (glide) + *avaṉ* (PNG suffix in free form). The consonant *ṭ* is not doubled. Cf. ***koṭi-ōr*** (*koṭṭi-ōr*) (**6.3**) and ***koṭal-*** (*koṭṭal-*) (**12.2**).

c28.s6.t1.111

It appears from the context that this short inscription refers to the engraving by the monk of the longer main inscription (No. *1*) in this cave. Cf. (Te. inscr.) *koṭṭali* ... *koṭṭe* 'the stonecutter engraved (the inscription)' (K.A. Nilakanta Sastri and M. Venkataramayya 1947-48, *EI*. XXVII: pp. 240-242, Inscription J, ca. 8th cent. A.D., cited in K. Mahadeva Sastri 1969:No. 24.)

c28.s6.t1.112

Cf. LT *taṉ nāmam mēruviṉum kōṭṭiṉāṉē* 'he engraved his name even on Mt. Mēru', (*Villi*. *Pāyiram*:19).

c28.s6.t1.113

**5.1 cantaritaṉ** N. of the donor, which may also be read as *cantāritaṉ*.

c28.s6.t1.114

**a. *canta-*** Attribute from Cantaṉ (N.) Cf. *cantam* 'beauty' (D. 2328). Cantaṉ was one of the legendary liberal patrons (*Piṅkala*. 756; *Cūṭā*. 2:23).

c28.s6.t1.115

Alternatively, the name may also be derived from *caṁda* (Pkt.) < *candra* (Skt.) 'moon; also a personal name'. Cf. (Pkt. inscr.) *caṁda*, *caṁda-siri* 'personal names' (Lüders List:Nos. 1156, 1202-04 respectively). Cf. ***cantaṉ*** (**29.1.c**, **43.2.b**, **47.1.b**).

c28.s6.t1.116

**b. *aritaṉ*** (N.) which may also be read as *āritaṉ*. Cf. *harita* (Skt.) 'N. of several persons'; *hārita* 'a descendant of Harita' (MW). Cf. ***ar-itaṉ*** (**8.2**), ***ar-iytaṉ*** (**18.2**) and ***āritaṉ*** (**60.5**).

c28.s6.t1.117

**5.2 koṭupitōṉ** (*koṭuppittōṉ*) (v.) 'he who caused to be given'. See **3.9**.

c28.s6.t1.118

**6.1 veḷ-aṟai** See **3.3**.

c28.s6.t1.119

**6.2 nikamatōr** (*nikamattōr*) (n., pl.) 'members of the *nikamam* (merchant guild)'. Cf. ***nikamatu*** (*nikamattu*) (**3.4**). The oblique case suffix *-t-* is not doubled. Cf. *nēgama* (Pkt.) < *naigama* (Skt.) 'members of a *nigama*'.

c28.s6.t1.120

Cf. (Pkt. inscr.) *nēgama*, *nigamaputa* 'inhabitant of a *nigama*' (Lüders List:Index).

c28.s6.t1.121

**6.3** ***koṭi-ōr*** (koṭṭi-) (v.) 'they who carved'; past participial noun, 3rd person epicene plural, from *koṭṭu* 'to hammer'.

c28.s6.t1.122

**Analysis:** *koṭu* (*koṭṭu*) (stem) + *i* (past tense marker) + *ōr* (PNG suffix in free form.) The consonant *-ṭ-* is not doubled and the glide *-y* is absent. See also **1.8** for further comments.

II. Arittapatti

c28.s6.t2.1

**7.1** ***nelveḷi-iy*** (P.) *-iy* is a variant of the paragogic suffix *-y*.

c28.s6.t2.2

**a.** ***nel*** (n.) 'paddy' (D. 3753). Cf. ***nel*** (**16.5**).

c28.s6.t2.3

**b.** ***veḷi*** (n.) 'open space, field' (D. 5498).

c28.s6.t2.4

Cf. LT *veḷi* 'field' (*Piṅkala.* 4028; *Cūṭā.* 11:153).

c28.s6.t2.5

**7.2** ***ciliyaṉ atiṅaṉ veḷiyaṉ*** N. of the donor.

c28.s6.t2.6

**a.** ***ciliyaṉ*** (N.) This name occurs also in **19.3** but is otherwise not attested. Cf. ***-caliyaṉ*** (**1.5.b** & **2.5.b**) (LT *celiyaṉ*).

c28.s6.t2.7

**b.** ***atiṅaṉ*** (*atiṅṅaṉ*) (N.) Cf. *atiṇṇaṉ*, N. of a chieftain in the Ta. Br. legend on the lead coins of the Andippatti Hoard (No. 13, Table 1.6).

c28.s6.t2.8

**c.** ***veḷiyaṉ*** (N.) Cf. LT *tittaṉ veḷiyaṉ*, *veḷiyaṉ vēṇmāṉ* 'personal names' (*Aka.* 152:5, 208:5 respectively).

c28.s6.t2.9

**7.3** ***muḻākai*** (n.) 'cave'. Cf. ***muḻa-ukai*** id. (**17.3.b**). Neither form is attested elsewhere, but cf. *muḻai* 'large mountain cave, cavern' (D. 4994). Cf. LT *muḻai* 'cave' (*Aka.* 168:12, *Tivā.* 865; *Cūṭā.* 11:180, 263, 285). See section 3.2.2 (v).

c28.s6.t2.10

**7.4** ***koṭupitōṉ*** (*koṭuppittōṉ*) (v.) 'he who caused to be given'. See **3.9**.

III. Tiruvadavur

c28.s6.t3.1

**8.1** ***pāṅkāṭa*** (*-kāṭṭa*) 'of Pāṅkāṭ(u)'. (P.) in genitive case.

c28.s6.t3.2

**a.** ***pā-*** (n.) 'expanse' (D. 4088). Cf. LT *pā aṭi yāṉai* 'elephant with broad feet' (*Puṟa.* 233:2). *-ṅ-* (< *-m-*) is an addition due to sandhi. Cf. *mā-ṅ-kāy* 'mango'.

c28.s6.t3.3

**b.** ***kāṭa*** (*kāṭṭa*) 'of the *kāṭu*' (n.) 'forest, jungle' (D. 1438). *kāṭu* when suffixed to place names generally refers to 'uncultivated land' as distinguished from *nāṭu* 'cultivated land'. Cf. ***erukāṭu-ūru*** (**52.1**).

c28.s6.t3.4

Cf. LT *kāṭu* 'forest' (*Tivā.* 713; *Piṅkala.* 537; *Cūṭā.* 4:55).

c28.s6.t3.5

***kāṭa-*** (*kāṭṭa-*) is analysed as *kāṭu* (stem) + *a* (genitive suffix). The consonant *-ṭ-* is not doubled. Cf. LT *kaḷḷiyaṉ-kāṭṭa* 'of the spurge jungle' (*Aka.* 53:7, 97:1).

c28.s6.t3.6

**8.2 ar-itaṉ** (*aritaṉ*). N. of the donor. Cf. *harita* (Skt.) 'N. of several persons, a descendant of Harita' (MW). Cf. (Pkt. inscr.) *harīta*- 'part of a personal name' (Lüders List: No. 42). See section **6.19.2** on the pause between *r* and *i*.

c28.s6.t3.7

**8.3 koṭṭupitōṉ** (*koṭṭupittōṉ*) (v.) 'he who caused to be carved'; past participial noun, causative, 3rd person masculine singular, from *koṭṭu* 'to hammer'.

c28.s6.t3.8

**Analysis:** *koṭṭu* (stem) + *pi* (causative suffix) + *t* (past tense marker written without doubling) + *ōṉ* (PNG suffix). See **1.8** for further comments.

c28.s6.t3.9

**9.1 upacaṉ** (*upaccaṉ*) (n.) 'preceptor, spiritual teacher'. See section **4.9.3** (iii).

c28.s6.t3.10

The consonant *-c-* is not doubled. Cf. **upaca-aṉ** (*upaccaṉ*) (**10.1** & **11.3**).

c28.s6.t3.11

Cf. *upajjha*, *upajjhāya* (Pāli); *uvajjhaya*, *uvajjhāya*, *uvajhāya*, *ōjjhāya* (AMg.) < *upādhyāya* (Skt.).

c28.s6.t3.12

Cf. (Pkt. inscr.) *upajhaya* (Lüders List: No. 1273); *uvajha* (K.G. Krishnan, ed. 1989: No. 80).

c28.s6.t3.13

Cf. (Ka. inscr.) *uvajjar* (*TAS*. I, 1988 reprint: p. 340).

c28.s6.t3.14

Cf. LT *ōcaṉ*, '*ācāriyaṉ*' (*Piṅkala*. 783); *ōcaṉ* '*upāttiyāyaṉ*' (*Cūṭā*. 2:7); *ōccaṉ* '*kaṇakkāyaṉ*' (*TL Supplement*), all with the meaning 'teacher'; *uvaccaṉ* 'member of a caste of temple drummers and pūjāris of *kāḷi*' (*TL*). Cf. *DEDR* Appendix: No. 18 for derivation from IA.

c28.s6.t3.15

Cf. (inscr.) *uvaiccaṉ* 'temple drummer' (*Pallava Inscrs*. No. 265, ca. 9th cent. A.D.); *uvaccaṉ* 'temple servant' (*SII*. XIV: Nos. 84 & 85, Pāṇṭiya, 10th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t3.16

Cf. (inscr.) *śrīkōyil koṭṭum uvaccar* 'Uvaccar, drummers of the temple' (*SII*. XIX: No. 321, Cōḻa, ca. 10th cent. A.D.); *caṅku ūtum uvaccarkaḷ* 'Uvaccar who blow the conches' (*SII*. XIII: No. 170, Cōḻa, 11th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t3.17

**9.2 par-acu** (*paracu*) N. of the donor; lit., 'one who worships by singing'.

c28.s6.t3.18

Cf. *paracu*, *paravu* 'to praise, extol, worship, adore, sing' (D. 3951). See section **6.19.2** for the pause between *r* and *a*.

c28.s6.t3.19

Cf. LT *paraval* 'benedictory singing' (*Pari*. 10:116); *cen nāvalar paracum* 'extolled by eloquent poets' (*Tiruvā*. 34:1); *paravutal* 'to worship' (*Tivā*. 1637, 1780); *paravai* 'dance' (*Piṅkala*. 3788); *paracaivaṉ* 'the Uvaccar caste' (*TL*); *pāracavar* 'dancers' (*Tol. Poruḷ*. 91, comm., Nacc.); *pāracavar* '*uvaccar*' (*Naṉṉ*. 115, comm., Caṅkara., Note by U.Ve. Swaminathaiyar).

c28.s6.t3.20

Cf. (inscr.) *kūttāṭum pāracivaṉ* 'Pāracivaṉ, the dancer' (*SII*. XIV: No. 237, 12th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t3.21

Pāracavar are the pipers, drummers and conch-blowers of the temple at Suchindram, who belong to the Uvaccar (Ōccar) caste (K.K.Pillay 1953: p. 248).

c28.s6.t3.22

Paravar are the devil-dancers of the Tulu country (E. Thurston and K. Rangachari, vol. VI, reprint 1987: pp. 139-140). The names Paracaivaṉ and Pāracavaṉ are apparently later corruptions of **paracavaṉ* (*paracu* + *avaṉ*) 'one who worships by singing and dancing', as indicated by their traditional occupations of singing, dancing and playing musical instruments in temples, the variant form Paravar for their name and, above all, their virtual identity with the Uvaccar. The accidental similarity with *pāraśava* (Skt.) seems to have given rise to the later legend that the Pāracavar were the offspring of a Brāhman through a Śūdra woman (ibid. p. 139). What is of exceptional interest in the present context is the very early association of the term *upaccaṉ* (LT *uvaccaṉ*) with *paracu* (**paracavaṉ* > LT *paracaivaṉ* / *pāracavaṉ*) as revealed in this inscription.

c28.s6.t3.23

**9.3 uṟai** (n.) 'abode (of ascetics)' < *uṟai* 'to dwell, place of residence' (D. 710).

c28.s6.t3.24

Cf. LT *iruṉkuṉṟattaṭi uṟai iyaika* 'let (our) abode be at the foot of (the hill) Iruṉkuṉṟam' (*Pari.* 15:65). However, the expression *uṟai* in the cave inscriptions has the technical meaning 'abode (of ascetics)'. Cf. **uṟai** (24.4), **uṟai-y** (61.5 & 62.5) and **uṟaiyuḷ** (60.2).

c28.s6.t3.25

**9.4 koṭṭupitōṉ** (*koṭṭupittōṉ*). See 8.3.

IV. Kilavalavu

c28.s6.t4.1

**10.1 upa[c]a-aṉ** (*upaccaṉ*) (n.) 'preceptor'. The consonant *-c-* is not doubled and the PNG suffix *-aṉ* is added in free form. See **upacaṉ** (*upaccaṉ*) (9.1) for discussion.

c28.s6.t4.2

**10.2 toṇṭi** (P.) The place may be identified as Tondi, now a small port on the east coast. Cf. *toṇṭi* 'small arm of the sea' (*TL*). See section 4.20.4 (ii).

c28.s6.t4.3

The Cēra port of Toṇṭi on the west coast was more famous in the Caṅkam Age. Cf. LT *ceṅkōl kuṭṭuvaṉ toṇṭi* 'Toṇṭi of Kuṭṭuvaṉ (the Cēra king) of upright sceptre' (*Aiṅk.*, *Toṇṭippattu*, 178:2-3). However, the eastern port of Toṇṭi is probably referred to in *Kuṟuntokai* (verses 210 & 238) where the city is specially associated with rice cultivation (U.Ve. Swaminathaiyar, *Kuṟuntokai*, 5th edn.: p. lxxxv).

c28.s6.t4.4

The eastern port of Toṇṭi is more unambiguously mentioned in later works. Cf. *mīṉavaṉ toṇṭi* 'Toṇṭi of the Pāṇṭiyaṉ' (*Pāṇṭikkōvai* cited in *Iṟai.* 11, comm.); *kuṇaticai-k-kaṇ toṇṭi eṉṉum pati* 'the eastern city of Toṇṭi'; (*Cilap.* 14:107, comm.).

c28.s6.t4.5

**10.3 -(i)[l]avōṉ** (*illavōṉ*). N. of the preceptor who is the donor. The name literally means 'householder' from *illam* 'house, home' (D. 494).

c28.s6.t4.6

Cf. LT *illōr* 'people at home' (*Kuṟun.* 111:7); *illavar* id. (*Aka.* 34:16, *Pari.* 6:101); *illōṉ* 'head (of the family), husband' (*Peru. Aka.*); *illavar* 'householders' are contrasted with *nōṟpavar* 'monks' in a Jaina work (*Aṟaneṟi.* 15).

c28.s6.t4.7

The expression **toṇṭilavōṉ** occurring in the inscription is construed as *toṇṭi* + *ilavōṉ* (*illavōṉ*) with elision of stem-final *-i*. See *kaṉṟiṭiṉ* (*kaṉṟi* + *iṭiṉ*) in *Pari.* 6:98 (cited by V.S. Rajam 1992:pp. 73-74). See also ***ariṭiṉ*** (*ariṭi* + *iṉ*) (**34.2**).

c28.s6.t4.8

***ilavōṉ*** (*illavōṉ*) is an appellative noun which may be analysed *ila* (*illa*) (stem) + *v* (glide) + *ōṉ* (PNG suffix). The consonant *-l-* is not doubled.

c28.s6.t4.9

Alternatively, the phrase *toṇṭi*=(*i*)*lavōṉ* may be explained as 'he who is from Toṇṭi' on the analogy of constructions like *toṇṭiyōr* (*Puṟa.* 17:13, *Cilap.* 14:107), *koṟkaiyōr* (*Matu.* 138), etc.

c28.s6.t4.10

***koṭu*** (v.) 'given'; adjectival participle without tense-marker or participial suffix (*viṉaittokai*) from *koṭu* 'to give'. See also ***amai*** (LT *amai*) (**48.6**) and ***-āṟu*** (LT *āṟ*) (**114.2.b**) for other examples of *viṉaittokai*.

c28.s6.t4.11

***paḷi-i*** (*paḷḷi-*) (n.) 'hermitage'. *-i* is the paragogic suffix. See **1.9** for comments.

V. Kongarpuliyankulam

c28.s6.t5.1

***kuṟa*** (n.) 'cutting' (LT *kuṟai*). Cf. *kuṟu* (v.) 'to pluck'; *kuṟai* (n.) 'piece, section'; Ka. *koṟe* 'cutting, a cut-off piece'; (Te. inscr.) *kōṟa* 'a cut-off portion' (D. 1859). The expression refers to the cutting of one of the three sections of the long drip ledge Cf. ***kuṟu*** (**12.1**).

c28.s6.t5.2

Cf. (inscr.) cey-k-kuṟai 'piece of land' (*SII.* V: No. 747, Cōḻa, 11th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t5.3

***koṭupitavaṉ*** (*koṭuppittavaṉ*) (v.) 'he who caused to be given'; past participial noun, causative, 3rd person masculine singular, from *koṭu* 'to give'.

c28.s6.t5.4

**Analysis:** *koṭu* (stem) + *pi* (causative suffix) + *t* (past tense marker) + *avaṉ* (PNG suffix). The consonants *-p-* and *-t-* occur without doubling. Cf. ***koṭupitavaṉ*** (**53.2**) and ***koṭupita-avaṉ*** (**44.3**).

c28.s6.t5.5

***upaca-aṉ*** (*upaccaṉ*) (n.) 'preceptor'. See **9.1** & **10.1**.

c28.s6.t5.6

***upaṟuva[ṉ*]*** (*uppaṟuvaṉ*). N. of the donor. This appears to be an occupational or family name. He is described as an ***upaca-aṉ*** (*upaccaṉ*) '*upādhyāya*'.

c28.s6.t5.7

Cf. Ta. *upparavar* 'a Telugu caste who are usually tank- and well-diggers and road-workers' (D. 626); *uppārakkāraṉ* 'one who plasters a wall' (*TL*); Ka. *uppāṟa* 'brick-layer, stonemason, plasterer' (D. 628). The occupational name occurs here as a personal name. See section 4.17.1.

c28.s6.t5.8

***kuṟu*** Read *kūṟu*. Cf. *kūṟu* 'section, division, share, part' (D. 1924).

c28.s6.t5.9

Cf. LT *cata-kūṟu* 'hundred parts' (*Kampa.* 6.3.124).

c28.s6.t5.10

Cf. (inscr.) *nālu kūṟu iṭṭa oru kūṟu* 'one share (of land) divided into four shares' (*SII.* I:No. 40,11th cent. A.D.). See also ***kuṟa*** (**11.1**).

c28.s6.t5.11

**12.2 koṭalku** (*koṭṭal-*) 'for carving'; verbal noun in dative case from *koṭṭu* 'to hammer'.

c28.s6.t5.12

**Analysis:** *koṭu* (*koṭṭu*) (stem) + *al* (suffix of the verbal noun) + *ku* (dative case suffix). The consonant *-ṭ-* occurs without doubling as in **koṭiy-avaṉ** (*koṭṭiyavaṉ*) (**4.3**) and **koṭi-ōr** (*koṭṭi-ōr*) (**6.3**). See also **1.8** for further comments.

c28.s6.t5.13

**12.3 īttavaṉ** (v.) 'he who gave'; past participial noun, 3rd person masculine singular, from *ī* 'to give (to inferiors)' (D. 2598).

c28.s6.t5.14

**Analysis:** *ī* (stem) + *tt* (past tense marker) + *avaṉ* (PNG suffix). Cf. LT *īttavaṉ* 'he who gave' (*Maṇi.* 24:19); *ītal* 'to give (as gift)' (*Tivā.* 1627; *Piṅkala.* 2129). See **ītta** (**59.3**).

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**12.4 cer-ataṉ-[ō]ṉ** N. of the donor.

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**a. cer-** (*ceṟṟ-*) (adj.) 'young, junior'. Cf. Ta. *ciṟu*, *ciṟṟu* 'small'; Ma. *ciṟṟu*, *ceṟṟu* id. (D. 1594). Cf. LT *ciṟṟāṟṟu* 'of the small stream' (*Kali.* 108:27). Sandhi: *ceṟ(u)* + *ataṉ* > *ceṟ(ṟ)-ataṉ*. *ceṟ-* is written separately with elision of stem-final *-u*, and *-ṟ-* is not doubled.

c28.s6.t5.17

**b. ataṉ-ōṉ** (N.) Cf. **pēr-ataṉ** (**13.2**). The two persons whose names occur in adjoining inscriptions were probably related to each other. The personal names Ataṉ as well as Ātaṉ occur in the Corpus. (See Index to Personal Names in Appendix II). Cf. LT *ataṉkōṭṭ-ācāṉ* 'teacher from Ataṉ-kōṭu' (*Tol. Pāyiram*). Cf. (inscr.) *kuviraṉ ataṉ*, *ataṉ asaṭaṉ*, *kaṇṇaṉ ataṉ*: personal names in the Ta. Br. inscriptions on pottery from Kodumanal (Y. Subbarayalu, Catalogue of Pottery Inscriptions from Kodumanal 1996, unpublished: Nos. 31, 38 & 113 respectively). See **59.1.a** for further discussion. The PNG suffix *-ōṉ* is added here in free form to the personal name. Cf. (inscr.) *kuvāvaṉ -cāttaṉ=ēṉ* 'I, Kuvāvaṉ Cāttaṉ' (*IPS*. No. 18, 9th cent. A.D.).

c28.s6.t5.18

**13.1 pākaṉ-ūr** (*pākaṉūr*) (P.) The place is identified as modern Sholavandan near Madurai. Cf. *perumpākaṉūr* in an inscription on a stone slab found at Sholavandan Railway Station and said to be originally from a Śiva temple in the vicinity (*SII*. XIV: No. 64, Pāṇḍiya, ca. 9th cent. A.D.). See Table 4.3.

c28.s6.t5.19

**a. pākaṉ** (n.) 'elephant-driver, charioteer' (D. 4046). Cf. LT *pākaṉ* 'elephant mahout' (*Aka.* 230:12; *Puṟa.* 220:2; *Cūṭā.* 2:36); *tēr-p-pākaṉ* 'charioteer' (*Cūṭā.* 2:37).

c28.s6.t5.20

**b. ūr** (n.) 'village, city, town'. This is the most frequent suffix for place names, written mostly as a separate word as in this case, or sometimes in bound form. See **19.2** for further comments.

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**13.2 *pē[r]ataṉ piṭaṉ*** N. of the donor. Cf. ***ceṟ-ataṉ* (12.4)**.

c28.s6.t5.22

**a. *pēr-*** (adj.) 'senior'. Cf. *peru-* (*pēr-* before a vowel) 'great' (D. 4411). Cf. ***pēr-ay-am* (35.2)** and ***nākapērūr* (56.1)**.

c28.s6.t5.23

*ceṟ-* (LT *ciṟṟ-*) and *pēr-* which occur in adjoining inscriptions (Nos. *12 & 13*) probably indicate the junior and senior members of a family having the same name. See section 4.18.4.

c28.s6.t5.24

**b. *ataṉ*** (N.) The reading *-ataṉ* is preferred (to that of *-ātaṉ* which is also possible) having regard to the occurrence of ***ceṟ-ataṉ* (12.4)** in the adjoining inscription.

c28.s6.t5.25

**c. *piṭaṉ* (*piṭṭaṉ*)** (N.) Cf. ***piṭaṉ* (*piṭṭaṉ*) (65.2)** and ***piṭantai* (*piṭṭantai*) (66.2)**.

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The name *pi(!?)taṉ* occurs in the Ta. Br. legend on a local coin from Sri Lanka (see No. 6, Table 1.6).

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Cf. LT *piṭṭaṉ*, N. of a chieftain (*Aka.* 77:16, 143:12; *Puṟa.* 170:8, 172:8).

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**13.3 *itta*** 'this' (pron.) in the accusative case. Cf. *itai / ittai* (*itu + ai*) (*TL*). Cf. *itu* 'this' from the proximate demonstrative base *i-* (D. 410); 'this' in the inscription refers to the third and last section of the long drip ledge carved above the three inscriptions (Nos. *11-13*).

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Cf. LT *ittai-y-ellām* 'all this' (*Kali.* 85:35, comm., Nacc.); *ittai mey-y-eṉa-k-karuti* 'considering this as truth' (*Tiruvā.* 26:7).

c28.s6.t5.30

The form *ittai* is probably derived from *iḵtu* (*iḵtu + ai*) where the loss of the *āytam* **ḵ** is compensated by doubling of the following consonant. Cf. ***ittā-a* (1.4)**. See section 7.3.3.

c28.s6.t5.31

*-a* functions here as the accusative case suffix corresponding to LT *-ai*. According to *Tol.* (*Col.* 109-110), *-a* may occur as the accusative case suffix for human nouns in poetry. This usage is not attested in LT. In the present case *itta* may be considered as a variation of LT *ittai* (*ai ~ a*). See section 7.7.1.

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**13.4 *vepōṉ*** (*veppōṉ*) (v.) 'he who has endowed'. Cf. LT *vaippōṉ*, non-past participial noun, 3rd person masculine singular, from *ve* (LT *vai*) 'to put'. Cf. Ma. *vekka* 'to put, deposit', *veppu* 'deposit' (D. 5549).

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