Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c28.s6.t18.4

c28.s6.t18.4

It appears likely that the Pkt. names *sata*, *sāta* and *satiya* are connected respectively with *ataṉ*, *ātaṉ* and *atiyaṉ* in Old Tamil. The evidence for this is provided by the occurrence of personal names like *sataṉ*/*ataṉ*, *sātaṉ*/*ātaṉ* and *satiya*-/*atiyaṉ* in the Early Ta. Br. inscriptions on stone, pottery and other inscribed objects. However, *cātaṉ* may also be connected with *cāttaṉ* (cf. Pkt. *sattha*, *sātha* 'merchandise'). As *sātaṉ* of the earlier period could also be written as *cātaṉ* in the later period, the latter cannot always be distinguished from *cāttaṉ*. See also discussion on ***cātaṉ*** (**55.5.d**).