Prabhu

Prabhu means master or the Prince in Sanskrit and many of the Indian languages; it is a name sometimes applied to God.[1] The term is also used by devotees of the Hindu God Lord Krishna/Vishnu as a title and form of address. If a man sees another male devotee whom he does not know, he will address him as "Prabhu". It is also appended after a devotee's name, for example "Madhava Prabhu". In Indonesia, especially in Balinese, Javanese, and Sundanese culture, the term "Prabu" is used as a part of royal titles, especially to address Kings such as Prabhu Siliwangi, Prabu Kiansantang (the son of Prabu Siliwangi), etc.

As a surname

A common surname among people across the Konkan Coast in India, from Karnataka, Maharashtra to Goa and.[2][3]

As a title

According to historian Anant Ramkrishna Sinai Dhume, Prabhu was a title accorded to the representative of the main village of the taluka (district) committee. The Prabhus may have also occupied official posts in the central administration, without prejudice to their original posts which were hereditary. Traditionally, a Prabhu was a village chief, Ministers, Zamindars, administrators, landlord and as such a master to the many agricultural labourers that were needed to cultivate his lands.[4] "Prabhu" as a title is mainly found among Saraswat Brahmins, Karhade Brahmins and other Brahmins communities in Maharashtra and Goa.[5]

Notable people

See also

References
  1. Frank Davis. "BABA WORDS, The Master's Glossary, N-P". Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  2. "Prabhu Family History". Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press. Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press. 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  3. Alan Machado (1999). Sarasvati's Children: A History of the Mangalorean Christians - Google Books. I.J.A. Publications, 1999. p. 264. ISBN 9788186778258.
  4. Bernardo Elvino de Sousa (2011). The Last Prabhu: A Hunt for Roots : DNA, Ancient Documents and Migration in Goa - Google Books. Goa 1556, 2011. p. 163. ISBN 9789380739151.
  5. The Illustrated Weekly of India, Volume 91, Part 3. Bennett, Coleman & Company, Limited, at the Times of India Press. 1970. p. 8. Prabhu is a title found amongst Saraswats , Karhade and other brahmins.
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