Note on Vryala as the Greek kingly title
By H. C. Seth
Summary
The note explores the use of *Vrsala* as a Greek-derived kingly title in ancient India. It suggests *Vrsala* is a Sanskritized form of the Greek *basileus*, equivalent to Indian titles like *Rajan* and *Rajatirdja*. The term appears in the play *Mudraraksasa* by Canakya, who uses it for Chandragupta Maurya, likely influenced by Greek historical accounts (e.g., by Megasthenes, Appian, and Plutarch) that referred to him as *basileus* or *Indian Basilea*. The author argues that by the time of *Mudraraksasa*, the original significance of *Vrsala* may have been lost, conflated with another term (*Vrsala*) originally denoting a non-Brahmanical sect or *siddha*. The note also examines parallels with Saka and Kusana rulers, who used Greek titles like *basileus* alongside Indian titles (e.g., *Rajan*, *Rajatraja*) on bilingual coins. It highlights Dr. Sten Konow’s theory linking *Muranda* (a Saka title meaning “lord”) to similar usage in Puranas, suggesting *Vrsala* may similarly denote regal authority. Passages from the *Vayu Purana* and *Matsya Purana* are cited, where *Vrsala* and *Murunda* appear in contexts describing foreign or mixed origins. The analysis connects these linguistic and titular exchanges to broader cultural interactions, including the likely Hellenistic influence on Indian royal terminology through trade and political ties.
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Conclusion
This analysis establishes *Vrsala* as a critical linguistic bridge between Greek and Indian regnal terminology, revealing its adaptation as a Sanskritized royal title reflecting cross-cultural diplomatic and literary exchanges. The study highlights how *Vrsala* (derived from *basileus*) was employed for Candragupta Maurya, aligning with contemporary Greek historical accounts and bilingual coinage practices of Saka and Kusana rulers. The findings underscore the fluidity of royal titles across ancient Eurasian political systems, particularly in contexts of Brahmanical influence and Indo-Greek interactions. By tracing the term’s evolution from a foreign designation to a localized title and its eventual conflation with other terms in Puranic literature, the paper illuminates the dynamic interplay of language, power, and cultural synthesis in early Indian history. The research contributes to a nuanced understanding of regnal terminology as a marker of political legitimacy and cross-cultural recognition in antiquity.