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Glite Dictionary
swami

swami

17 8.8
A respected Hindu teacher and monk used as a title for spiritual leaders
  • noun
  • /ˈswɑːmi/
translation icon : swami
  • I was called by Swami B.V. Tirtha Maharaja Ji, and we spoke about the matter.

It's actually a a slight offshoot of Vishishta Advaita, which has been given by my spiritual teacher, Parma Hamsa Swami Vishwananda.

Examples

  • There is no other teacher but your own soul. - Swami Vivekananda

    Blog text (21)

  • The Swami also arranged to have prayers said in several temples for the protection of Bannu's life.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • We tried it once as an experiment at the swami temple.

    Blog text (24)

  • You know, like a swami or a guru.

    Protocol (1984)

  • There's a new swami in town.

    An Unmarried Woman (1978)

  • The swami seems to know where he's going.

    Wheel of Ashes (1968)

  • Please check out the influence that Swami Vivekananda had on the revolutionary and saint Sri Aurobindo and on Gandhi.

    Blog text (24)

  • Sahajanand Swami encouraged education for women and economic development, and he discouraged any resulting caste inequities or discrimination.

    Academic text (2007)

  • BAPS's work is theologically rooted in the Vedas—ancient Hindu texts—as interpreted by Sahajanand Swami in the early 19th century.

    Academic text (2007)

  • The students gathered around their teacher, a revered swami, who shared stories of wisdom and spirituality.

Synonyms

guru
vsswami
23 6.7

A religious teacher in Hinduism or Buddhism who guides people spiritually

is mainly used within the Hindu tradition rather than across faiths
spiritual leader
vsswami
23 3.9

A person who guides others in religious beliefs and inner life

is used mainly in Hindu monastic contexts rather than general religious leadership
maharishi
vsswami
7 9.9

A title for a famous Indian spiritual teacher, especially Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

is a respectful but more common Hindu monastic title rather than exceptional praise
lama
vsswami
  • Specialized
4 7.5

A monk in Tibetan Buddhism who teaches and guides people

is a Hindu monastic title rather than a Buddhist clerical role
yoga guru
vsswami
1 4.9

A person who teaches yoga and meditation and gives spiritual guidance

is a religious monastic title used beyond just teaching bodily practices
roshi
vsswami
9.9

A respected Zen teacher who guides students in meditation

is a Hindu monastic title used in a different religious tradition

Surface Forms

swami singular
swamis plural

Etymology

The word swami comes from the Sanskrit svāmī, which originally meant 'owner' or 'master' and comes from sva meaning 'self'. That's why a swami is a respectful title for a Hindu teacher or monk, someone seen as having control of their own mind and who guides others.