Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c5.35

v2.c5.35

Grāma.—The phrase Grāmin, ‘possessing a village,’ occurs often in the Taittirīya Saṃhitā (ii. 1, 3, 2; 6, 7; 2, 8, 1; 11, 1; 3, 3, 5; 9, 2), usually in connexion with various rites for acquiring a village. Since in these cases repeated mention is made of obtaining pre-eminence over Sajātas and Samānas, ‘equals,’ it is probable that allowance must also be made for the control over his fellow-villagers which an ambitious man could obtain (e.g., by loans), and which might end by giving him the position of a great landlord, even without the intervention of the king.