Sabhā

By Swami Harshananda

Sabhā literally means ‘assembly’.

Different Inferences of the Word Sabhā

• The earliest meaning of this word seems to be the gambling hall.
• Later on, it acquired other meanings like an assembly of learned persons as well as other persons needed to be present and presided over by the king.
• The word samiti was also used in the same sense.
• In all probability it was not an elected body but an ad hoc one.
• The word has sometimes been used to indicate an assembly of learned people, probably to discuss and decide some important issues before the king.
• Sabhā can also mean an auditorium or a building meant for meetings.

References

• The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

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Deval Sancheti

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