India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c12.s1.25

c12.s1.25

CROWN PRINCE.—The general word for 'prince' in the *Ashṭādhyāyī* is *rāja-putra* (IV.2.39) and *rāja-kumāra* (VI.2.59). The word *rāja-kumāra* has two meanings (1) a boy king and (2) prince, the latter being a counter-example to the *sūtra Rājā cha* (*rājñaḥ kumāraḥ*). Of all his sons the king selected the son of the Chief Queen, as the crown-prince or *Yuvarāja*. In this connection Pāṇini makes an important reference to *Ārya-kumāra*, *i.e.* Chief Prince, who was invested with the title *Ārya* (*āryaśchāsau kumāraścha*) (*Āryo Brāhmaṇa-kumārayoḥ*, VI.2.58). *Ārya* appears to be a political title both in *Ārya-Brāhmaṇa* and *Ārya-kumāra*. Samudragupta was addressed as *Ārya* by his father at the time of his selection to the throne (*āryo hītyupaguhya*, Allahabad Pillar Inscription). In the *Jātakas* the crown prince is called *upa-rājā*. In one instance, of the two brothers one is made *upa-rājā* and the younger one *senāpati*; on the death of the king the *uparājā* becomes *rājā*, and the *senāpati* becomes *uparājā* (*Jāt.* VI.30).