[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.1431 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1431 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1431 - **Language:** English ### [c5.1431](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1431) PURUSHOTTAMA. Literally ‘best of men;’ but the word Purusha is here used in its mythic sense of soul of the universe, and so the compound means the “supreme soul.” It is a title of Vishnu, and asserts his right to be considered the Supreme God. So the \*Hari-vansa\* says, “Purushottama is whatever is declared to be the highest, Purusha the sacrifice, and everything else which is known by the name of Purusha.” - [Previous: c5.1430](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1430) - [Next: c5.1432](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1432) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) ## Cites (1) - [Harivaṃśa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.harivamsa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1431](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1431) · Pramāṇa