Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s4.161

v2.c4.s4.161

Madhyama-śī is found in one passage of the Rigveda,¹ where Roth² assigns to the word the meaning of intercessor, which Zimmer³ accepts, in the sense of ‘mediator’ or ‘arbiter,’ as a legal term, but which Roth may, as Lanman⁴ suggests, have intended to express ‘adversary’ or ‘preventer’ of the disease referred to in the hymn. Whitney⁵ thinks that it means ‘midmost man’ or ‘chief’ as the one round whom his followers encamp.⁶ Geldner,⁷ however, thinks that a third king, who is ‘neutral’ between two enemies, is intended.