Jagadguru

Jagadguru, literally meaning the Guru of the universe, is a title used in Sanātana Dharma. Traditionally, it has been bestowed upon or used for Ācāryas belonging to the Vedānta school (among the six traditional schools of thought in Hinduism) who have written Sanskrit commentaries on the Prasthānatrayī (literally, 'the three sources') – the Brahma sūtras (the original scripture of Vedānta), the Bhagavad-gītā (part of the Mahābhārata) and the Principal Upaniṣads. Historically, Jagadgurus have established a lineage (Paramparā), established an institution to spread Dharma, who have been based in Varanasi, famous for being the centre of Sanskrit study and the "Capital of All Knowledge".

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Origin and history of the term

Jagadguru is of Sanskrit origin where jagat means 'the entire world' and guru means 'spiritual master' (literally, 'dispeller of darkness'). In the classics and scriptures, the word has been used for several Devas. In the Mahābhārata, Arjuna addresses Śrī Kṛṣṇa as the 'Supreme Master of the entire world'. Jagadguru Śrīpāda Ādi Śaṅkarācārya uses the title Jagadguru for Śrī Kṛṣṇa in his Śrī Kṛṣṇa-āṣṭakam.[1] The Sanskrit poet Kālidāsa uses the word Jagadguru for Lord Śiva in his great poem (Mahā-kāvya) titled Kumārasambhava.[2] In the Rāmacaritamānasa, the poet-saint Tulasidāsa uses the same word for Lord Rāma.[3] Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Prabhupāda uses it for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in his song Guru Paramparā.[4] A. C. Bhaktivedānta Svāmi Prabhupāda uses it for Lord Kṛṣṇa in his composition Mārkine Bhāgavata-Dharma.[5]

Traditional Jagadgurus

There has not been a recent 5th guru in this tradition, recognized by Kashi Vidvat Parishad.

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References
  1. Shankaracharya, Adi. "Shri Krishna-ashtakam". Krsna Kirtana Songs. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  2. Kumārasambhava, Canto 6, Verse 15 and also Canto 8, verse 24.
  3. Rāmacaritamānasa, Āraṇya Kāṇḍa, verse 3.9.
  4. Sarasvati, Bhaktisiddhanta. "Guru Parampara". Krsna Kirtana Songs. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  5. Bhaktivedanta Swami, A.C. "Markine Bhagavata-Dharma". Krsna Kirtana Songs. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
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