Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s9.250

v2.c4.s9.250

Sabhā-sad, ‘sitter in the assembly,’ is probably a technical description of the assessors who decided legal cases in the assembly (*cf.* Sabhācara). The term, which is found in the Atharvaveda¹ and later,² cannot well merely denote any member of the assembly. It is also possible that the Sabhāsads, perhaps the heads of families, were expected to be present at the Sabhā oftener than the ordinary man: the meetings of the assembly for justice may have been more frequent than for general discussion and decision.