Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s11.1189

v1.c3.s11.1189

Kṣoṇī.—This word, when used in the plural, denotes, according to the St. Petersburg Dictionary and Ludwig,¹ in several passages of the Rigveda,² the free retainers of the king. Geldner³ at one time thought it referred to the wives of the king, pointing to polygamy; but later⁴ he concluded that it means certain divine wives.