Indian Epigraphy c16.s2.148

c16.s2.148

Instead of *Paramadaivata*, sometimes we have *Paramadaivatādhidaivata*. Thus a sixth century ruler of Orissa, named Śambhuyaśas, is called both *Paramamāheśvara* (a devout worshipper of the god Maheśvara or Śiva) and *Paramadaivatādhidai-vata* meaning ‘one who is firmly devoted to the gods and the supreme god’.¹ Similarly the Pāṇḍava rulers of Mekalā called themselves *Paramagurudavatādhaidaivaviśeṣa* side by side with *Paramamāheśvara* and *Paramabrahmanya*.² The meaning of this epithet is ‘one who is a great teacher [of his subjects] and devotee of the gods and the supreme god’. There are numerous instances of the Śaiva kings styling themselves *Paramamāheśvara* in all parts of India.