India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c12.s1.2

c12.s1.2

Another title of *rājā* in Pāṇini is *bhūpati* (VI.2.19), and here also *aiśvarya* is an attribute of his overlordship (*patyāu-aiśvarye*, VI.2.18). *Bhūpati*, therefore, means 'lord of the earth'. The word *adhipati* mentioned along with *svāmī* and *iśvara* (II.3.39) occurs in the coronation formula of the *Aitareya Br.* in a form of sovereignty called *ādhipatya*. Jayaswal understood it as overlordship over neighbouring states, who paid tribute to the *Adhipati* (cf. *Ādi*, 103.1; 105.11-15, 21). The words *Samrāj* and *Mahārāja* were old kingly titles, of which the former is mentioned in *sūtra* VIII.3.25, and the latter although mentioned twice (IV.2.35; IV.3.97) does not refer to a king, but to one of the *Chatur-Mahārājika* gods.