History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c44.66

v3.c44.66

The head of a maṭha is called svāmi, maṭhapati or maṭhādhipati or *mahanta* (usually written as *mohunt* in the Law Reports). The head of the maṭha is usually appointed according to the custom and practice of each maṭha, generally in one of three ways, viz. (1) the head for the time selects from among his disciples a fit one to succeed him, (2) the disciples elect one from among themselves to succeed on the demise of the head, (3) the ruling power or the original founder or his heirs appoint the head when there is a vacancy.