Indian Epigraphical Glossary c6.6015

c6.6015

Svāmin (IE 8-3; EI 24; CII 3; LL), royal title probably of foreign origin, assumed by the kings of Śaka-Kuṣāṇa extraction; adopted by indigenous rulers like the Śātavāhanas. Cf. Śāmi (SITI), the king. Cf. Vihāra-svāmin (founder or master of a monastery), etc. (EI 7), same as Svāmi-Mahāsena, i.e. Kārttikeya. (EI 23), designation of the member of a guild. (EI 5), cf. ‘the 500 Svāmins of Aihoḷe’; probably meaning the Māheśvaras. Cf. svāmi-vāram (SITI), land-lord’s share; same as Tamil mel-vāram.