Swami

Swami is a title used in Hinduism and related Indian religious traditions. Derived from Sanskrit, it is commonly interpreted as meaning “master” or “lord,” with connotations of mastery over oneself or authority over others. In everyday usage, Swami serves as a respectful honorific for spiritual teachers, monastics, and gurus, and it is often attached to a renunciate’s chosen name.

In Hindu practice, Swami denotes a person who has taken sannyasa or otherwise attained a higher spiritual status within a particular tradition or order. Monastic communities across various traditions—such as Advaita Vedanta and Vaishnavism—adopt Swami as part of a monk’s name, signaling renunciation and religious authority rather than a familial surname. Prominent examples include Swami Vivekananda and Swami Sivananda, among others.

The title is used with some variation across traditions and gender. Female monastics may be addressed as Swamini or Sadhvi, depending on lineage. In Jainism, male mendicants may also be accorded the title Swami in certain communities, while female renunciates are typically called Sadhvi or Swamini in others. Outside formal monastic contexts, Swami can function as a general honorific for respected spiritual teachers or elders.

Today, Swami remains a common element in religious discourse and in the names of many institutions and organizations. It carries cultural and religious significance beyond a simple form of address, signaling spiritual status, renunciation, and guidance within Hindu and related Indian traditions.