The meanings in which the word "word" can be taken,the interpretations that the relevant meanings would necessitate of the "word-equals-world" thesis, and the extent to which Bhartrhari can be said to be aware of or receptive to these interpretations are considered. The observation that more than one interpretation would have been acceptable to Bhartrhari naturally leads to a discussion of his notion of truth, his perspectivism,and his understanding of the nature of philosophizing as an activity in which language plays a basic role and epistemology and ontology are interdependent.