I wonder if anyone knowledgeable about (north)western India around the
13th century might have an idea about how the epithet tantrapāla should
be understood in that context? I am looking at these two verses from an
astrological text:
kasya samīpe candro ravimuthaśilage nṛpatipārśve |
śaninā ca muthaśile ’smin nīcānām ijyamuthaśile ca satām ||
śukreṇa ca yuvatīnāṃ jñena vyavahāripaṇḍitānāṃ ca |
bhaumena <ca> śatrūṇāṃ krūreśānāṃ ca tantrapālānām ||
'In whose company is the moon? If it forms a /muthaśila /[Ar.
/muttaṣil/, applying aspect] with the sun, [the querent travels] at the
side of the king; if it has a /muthaśila /with Saturn, [at the side] of
low people, and if a /muthaśila /with Jupiter, of good people; with
Venus, of women; with Mercury, with merchants and scholars; with Mars,
of his enemies, cruel lords and /tantrapālas/.'
The standard dictionaries failling me, I did a simple web search, which
turned up some suggestions; but the present context seems to call for
something more warlike, violent and/or sinister than just 'high
official' or 'secretary of council'.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts,
Martin Gansten
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