Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c28.s7.t9.18

c28.s7.t9.18

The term *ganti* (variant *kanti*, *khanti*) occurs in early Kannada inscriptions as an affix to the names of Jaina nuns (A.N. Narasimhia 1941: Nos. 43 & 45). The etymology of the word is obscure. (ibid., Appendix V, and P.B. Desai 1957: p. 85, note, for different interpretations.) However, the most likely derivation is from *gaṁthi* (AMg.) 'one who composes a literary work' (PSM). Cf. *ganthika* (pāli) 'hard-studying' (*PED*) < (Skt.) *grantha* 'book', *granthin* 'one who reads books, well-read' (MW). The occurrence of *kanti* (< Ka. *ganti*) in this inscription indicates Kannada influence. See section 3.2.4.