Valayapathi is a fragmentary
Tamil Jain epic. Tamil literary tradition places it among the
five great epics, alongside such works as
Silappatikaram,
Manimegalai,
Civaka Cintamani and
Kundalakesi. The first mention of the "
Aimperumkappiyam" (lit. Five large epics) occurs in Mayilainathar's commentary of
Nannul. Mayilainathar does not mention the names of the five epics. The names of the epics are first mentioned in the late 18th century - early 19th century work
Thiruthanikaiula. Earlier works like the 17
th century poem
Tamil vidu thoothu mention the great epics as
Panchkavyams.