Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s5.262

v2.c4.s5.262

Rāja-pitṛ is one of the titles given to the king in the rite of the Rājasūya (‘royal consecration’) according to the Aitareya Brāhmaṇa (viii. 12, 5; 17, 5). It probably designates the king as ‘father of a king,’ and indicates the hereditary character of the monarchy. Possibly the later plan¹ of associating the king’s son in the monarchy prevailed in earlier times also.