[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) › v2.c4.s3.85 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s3.85 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s3.85 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c4.s3.85](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s3.85) Bhartṛ, besides having the literal sense of ‘bearer,’ means ‘supporter’ or ‘master’ in the older literature¹; but it is doubtful whether the sense of ‘husband’ is ever found there. In one passage of the Rigveda² ‘husband’ is certainly the most natural sense, but, as Delbrück³ correctly remarks, even there ‘father’ may be meant, since ‘mother’ is here and there⁴ called Bhartṛī. - [Previous: v2.c4.s3.84](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s3.84) - [Next: v2.c4.s3.86](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s3.86) - [Up: v2.c4.s3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s3) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s3.85](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s3.85) · Pramāṇa