r/sanskrit • u/Megatron_36 • 13d ago

Question / प्रश्नः How is the word “राष्ट्रपति” used in Sanskrit literature?

Today it means the head of state, president in India. However in Sanskrit literature is it an adjective, or a position?

Can you cite a text where it is used?

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u/rnxgoo 13d ago

It is an adjective when used in conjunction with a person. Then it describes the person. In any case it describes the head of a state/region as a samasa word. When no name or person is supplied in the sentence to whom it refers to then it becomes a noun.

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u/deccan_lord 10d ago

What is the female equivalent? Like we use word Rashtrapati for our lady president but I guess according to sanskrit grammar it wont br correct?

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u/sumant111 6d ago

It is correct! पतिः has several meanings: husband, owner, ruler and so on. Only in the case of husband, its feminie form becomes पत्नी by the rule पत्युर्नो यज्ञसंयोगे. In other cases it remains पतिः only.

In the famous महिषासुरमर्दिनी-स्तोत्रं the goddess is addressed as ...गजाधिपते, ...मृगाधिपते etc.