There are several numerous references to Shasta in Sangam works. refer to Ayyanar and "Cattan" in many poems. The Tamil Sangam classics Purananuru, Akananuru etc. Literary references to Aiyanar-Cattan are found in Silappatikaram, a Tamil work dated to the 4th to 5th centuries C.E. They read "Ayanappa a shrine to Cattan." This is followed by another inscription in Uraiyur near Tiruchirapalli which is dated to the 4th century C.E. The stones are dated to the 3rd century C.E. The earliest reference to Aiynar-Shasta is from the Arcot district in Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, Aiyanar is used as the regional name of the deity Shasta. Brahma Shasta is another term associated with Kartikeya. The Ashta-Shasta (eight Shastas) are Aadhi Maha Shasta, Dharma Shasta ( Ayyappan), Gnana Shasta, Kalyana Varadha Shasta, Sammohana Shasta, Santhana Prapti Shasta, Veda Shasta and Veera Shasta. This is also present in the agamic work Dyana Ratnavali. The Tamil song Shasta Varavu states that there are eight important incarnations and forms of Shasta. In South India, a number of deities are associated with Shasta. Shasta is a generic term that means "Teacher, Guide, Lord, Ruler" in Sanskrit.
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