anūḍhā bhrātṛ

 Anūḍhā bhrātṛ (अनूढभ्रातृ) refers to the brother of an unmarried woman or the brother of a king’s concubine in Sanskrit.

Definition and Etymology

The term Anūḍhā-bhrātṛ is a compound word in Sanskrit, consisting of:

• anūḍhā (अनूढा): indicating an unmarried woman or concubine
• bhrātṛ (भ्रातृ): meaning brother

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Thus, Anūḍhā-bhrātṛ literally translates as “brother of an unmarried 

woman”. In certain rhetorical and literary works, it is also used to 

refer to the brother of a king’s concubine, sometimes considered 

a mock-brother-in-law of the king, known as śakāra

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Usage in Sanskrit Literature

• The term appears in classical Sanskrit dictionaries and texts 
• describing familial and courtly relationships.
• In social or legal contexts, it helps distinguish relationships, 
• especially regarding unmarried women or women of secondary 
• status, like concubines, in royal households

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Overall, Anūḍhā Bhrātṛ is a masculine noun (m.), used specifically

for describing familial ties in Sanskrit, illustrating the detailed kinship

terms unique to ancient Indian literature.

This definition is cited in sources like M. Monier Williams’ 

Sanskrit-English Dictionary, confirming its use in formal 

Sanskrit texts .