Indian Epigraphical Glossary c6.5256

c6.5256

*Samadhigata-pañca-mahāśabda* (IE 8-2; CII 3), a customary epithet of feudatory rulers, indicating that they were entitled to the privilege of the *pañca-mahāśabda* (five kinds of musical instruments), or of using five official titles beginning with the word *mahā*. There are a few instances in which the epithet is applied to paramount sovereigns in South India. The title is sometimes stated to have been conferred on a feudatory by his overlord. See *mahāśabda*, etc.