Shreshthin, Śreṣṭhin: 14 definitions
Introduction:
Shreshthin means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Śreṣṭhin can be transliterated into English as Sresthin or Shreshthin, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Arthashastra (politics and welfare)
Source: Wisdom Library: ArthaśāstraŚreṣṭhin (श्रेष्ठिन्) refers to “foremen of guilds” and represents an official title used in the political management of townships in ancient India. Officers, ministers, and sovereigns bearing such titles [eg., Śreṣṭhin] were often present in ancient inscriptions when, for example, the king wanted to address his subjects or make an important announcement.
Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्र, arthaśāstra) literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Wisdom Library: HinduismŚreṣṭhin (श्रेष्ठिन्) is a Sanskrit word referring to “banker”. It is a title given to persons entertaining this profession.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: TrisastisalakapurusacaritraŚreṣṭhin (श्रेष्ठिन्) [is sometimes used] in its modern use in the form Sheth (śeṭha), which is a form of address for persons prominent in the business world, generally Jains or Hindus of the Vaiśya caste.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
India history and geography
Source: archive.org: Indian epigraphical glossary1) Śreṣṭhin, a banker or merchant or the foreman of a guild; sometimes mentioned in the list of the king's officials and subordinates addressed by him while makinga grant.
2) Śreṣṭhin, representative of the banker class in the council of the local administrators of a town. Cf. Śeṭṭi, Nagara-śreṣṭhin.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryŚreṣṭhin.—(IE 8-3; CII 4; LL), a banker or merchant or the foreman of a guild; sometimes mentioned in the list of the king's officials and subordinates addressed by him while making a grant (Ep. Ind., Vol. XXIV, p. 276). (BL), representative of the banker class in the council of the local administrators of a town. Cf. Śeṭṭi, Nagara-śreṣṭhin. Note: śreṣṭhin is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryŚreṣṭhin (श्रेष्ठिन्).—m. [śreṣṭhaṃ dhanādikastyasya ini] The head or president of a mercantile or other guild; निक्षेपे पतिते हर्म्ये श्रेष्ठी स्तौति स्वदेवताम् (nikṣepe patite harmye śreṣṭhī stauti svadevatām) Pañcatantra (Bombay) 1.14.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryŚreṣṭhin (श्रेष्ठिन्).—name of a householder of Śrāvastī: Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya ii.127.20; 139.6.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚreṣṭhin (श्रेष्ठिन्).—mfn. (-ṣṭhī-ṣṭhinī-ṣṭhi) Best, chief. m. (-ṣṭhī) 1. An artist eminent by birth. 2. The head or chief of a body of persons following the same trade or occupation, a president, a foreman. E. śreṣṭha excellence, ini aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚreṣṭhin (श्रेष्ठिन्).—i. e. śreṣṭha + in, I. adj. Best. Ii. m. 1. An artist eminent by birth. 2. The head of a body of persons following the same business, [Pañcatantra] 234, 6; i. [distich] 14, read ºṭhī; Da- śak. in
Śreṣṭhin (श्रेष्ठिन्).—[masculine] a man of high rank or the chief of a corporation.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Śreṣṭhin (श्रेष्ठिन्):—[from śreyas] mfn. having the best, best, chief, [Horace H. Wilson]
2) [v.s. ...] m. a distinguished man, a person of rank or authority, [Aitareya-brāhmaṇa; Śāṅkhāyana-brāhmaṇa; Kauṣītaki-upaniṣad]
3) [v.s. ...] a warrior of high rank, [Jātakamālā]
4) [v.s. ...] m. an eminent artisan, the head or chief of an association following the same trade or industry, the president or foreman of a guild (also f(inī). a female artisan etc.), [Harivaṃśa; Kāvya literature; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚreṣṭhin (श्रेष्ठिन्):—[(ṣṭhī-ṣṭhinī-ṣṭhi) m.] An artist eminent by birth. a. Best.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Śreṣṭhin (श्रेष्ठिन्) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Siṭṭhi, Seṭṭhi.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Shreshthicatvara, Shreshthichatvara, Shreshthini.
Ends with (+1): Bhabhana-shreshthin, Chaththamai-shreshthin, Dhanama-shreshthin, Dharmashreshthin, Durga-shreshthin, Hari-Shreshthin, Kalya-shreshthin, Keshavashreshthin, Khetraiya-Indra-shreshthin, Kulashreshthin, Lokkai-shreshthin, Mahadai-shreshthin, Mahashreshthin, Nagai-shreshthin, Nagara-shreshthin, Pura-shreshthin, Raja-shreshthin, Reuma-shreshthin, Revana-shreshthin, Sagaradattashreshthi.
Full-text (+107): Kulashreshthin, Shreshthika, Shetha, Siddhai-shreshthin, Reuma-shreshthin, Lokkai-shreshthin, Nagai-shreshthin, Revana-shreshthin, Khetraiya-Indra-shreshthin, Mahadai-shreshthin, Chaththamai-shreshthin, Adityavarman, Setthi, Pura-shreshthin, Vimuktaka, Gopalaka, Jayottama, Suvrata, Sucintin, Suvikramin.
Relevant text
Search found 5 books and stories containing Shreshthin, Śreṣṭhin, Sresthin; (plurals include: Shreshthins, Śreṣṭhins, Sresthins). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Matangalila and Hastyayurveda (study) (by Chandrima Das)
Dasarupaka (critical study) (by Anuru Ranjan Mishra)
Part 10 - The Elements (arthaprakṛti) < [Chapter 1 - Nāṭaka (critical study)]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 10 - The vows and actions of bhikṣu Nanda in previous lives < [Chapter VIII - The Bodhisattvas]
The Dānapati who excluded the Śrāmaṇeras from his invitation < [III. Recollection of the community (saṃgānusmṛti)]
Appendix 4 - The story of Sudatta’s bodhi < [Chapter LII - Elimination of the Triple Poison]
Sanskrit sources of Kerala history (by Suma Parappattoli)
3. Mushakavamsa (or Mushika-vamsa) by Atula < [Chapter 3 - Historical Details from Mahakavyas]
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Part 10: Story of Vīrabhadra < [Chapter II - Śrī Aranāthacaritra]