[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v1.c3.s2.70 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s2.70 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s2.70 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s2.70](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s2.70) 1. Ibha is a word of somewhat doubtful sense and interpretation. It is found only in the Saṃhitās,¹ and especially in the Rigveda.² According to Roth³ and Ludwig⁴ the sense is ‘retainer,’ and Zimmer⁵ thinks that it includes not only dependants and servants, but also the royal family and the youthful cadets of the chief families. In the opinion of Pischel and Geldner⁶ it denotes ‘elephant.’ This view is supported by the authority of the commentators Sāyaṇa⁷ and Mahīdhara,⁸ the Nirukta,⁹ too, gives ‘elephant’ as one of the senses of the word. Megasthenes¹⁰ and Nearchos¹¹ tell us that elephants were a royal prerogative, and the derivative word Ibhya may thus be naturally explained as denoting merely ‘rich’ (lit., ‘possessor of elephants’).¹² - [Previous: v1.c3.s2.69](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s2.69) - [Next: v1.c3.s2.71](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s2.71) - [Up: v1.c3.s2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s2) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s2.70](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s2.70) · Pramāṇa