, literally meaning " of the universe", is a title used in . Traditionally, it has been bestowed upon or used for belonging to the school (among the six traditional schools of thought in

Hinduism Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...

) who have written

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...

commentaries on the (literally, 'the three sources') – the (the original scripture of ), the (part of the ) and the principal . Historically, ''jagadguru''s have established a lineage () and an institution to spread '' dharma.'' They bring forth a new and authoritative interpretation of the scriptures that can unify or redefine the spiritual understanding of generations.

Origin and history of the term

is of

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

Deva Deva may refer to: Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Deva, List of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition monsters, an ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' 2nd edition monster * Deva, in the 2023 Indian film ''Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefir ...

s. In the , Arjuna addresses as the 'Supreme Master of the entire world'. Adi Shankaracharya uses the title for in his . The Sanskrit poet uses the word for in his great poem () titled . In the , the poet-saint uses the same word for . uses it for in his song . uses it for in his composition .

Traditional Jagadgurus

, the three great acharyas

Adi Shankara Adi Shankara (8th c. CE), also called Adi Shankaracharya (, ), was an Indian Vedanga, Vedic scholar, Hindu philosophy, philosopher and teacher (''acharya'') of Advaita Vedanta. Reliable information on Shankara's actual life is scant, and h ...

, Ramanujacharya,

Madhvacharya Madhvacharya (; ; 1199–1278 CE or 1238–1317 CE), also known as Purna Prajna () and Ānanda Tīrtha, was an Indian philosopher, theologian and the chief proponent of the ''Dvaita'' (dualism) school of Vedanta. Madhva called his philosophy ...

are combinedly known as "Acharyatraya" or "Triacharya". These three acharyas are considered to be the pillars of Vedantic tradition of spiritual India.

Acharyatraya

* (also known as "" or , founder of ' school of '. * ( 1017 – 1137), founder of ' school of '. * ( 1239 – 1319) (also known as "" or "", founder of the ' ( Tattvavada) school of '.

Other acharyas

* , founder of ' school of '. * Mahaprabhu ( 1479 – 1531), founder of ' school of ' * Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj ( – ), founder of '. He was honoured with the title Jagadguru by Kashi Vidvat Parishat on 14 January 1957.

Jagadguru as title

Traditionally the title Jagadguru is used by all the peetadhipathis of Mathas founded by traditional Jagadgurus such as Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya,

, Nimbarkacharya, and Vallabhacharya. Jagadguru is also honoured as the title by Kashi Vidvat Parishat in

Varanasi Varanasi (, also Benares, Banaras ) or Kashi, is a city on the Ganges river in northern India that has a central place in the traditions of pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world.* * * * The city has a syncretic tradition of I ...

for the knowledge and value of particular guru. The title "Jagadguru Ramanandacharya" is used in the lineage of Ramananda, founder of

Ramanandi Sampradaya The Ramanandi (), also known as Ramavats (), is one of the largest sects of Vaishnavas. Out of 52 sub-branches of Vaishnavism, divided into four Vaishnava '' sampradayas'', 36 are held by the Ramanandi. The sect mainly emphasizes the worshi ...

. * Traditionally, the title "Jagadguru" is used by the peetadhipathis of various mathas founded by renowned spiritual leaders such as Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya,

, Nimbarkacharya, and Vallabhacharya. * Rambhadracharya, the founder of Tulsi Peeth within the

, was conferred the title "Jagadguru Ramanandacharya" by Kashi Vidvat Parishat on 24 June 1988.

References

Bibliography

* *{{cite book, title=Invention of Tradition and Syncretism in Contemporary Religions: Sacred Creativity, url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D5s3DwAAQBAJ, first1=Stefania, last1=Palmisano, first2=Nicola, last2=Pannofino, publisher=Springer, year=2017, isbn= 9783319610979

External links

* Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University
Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Academy of Higher Education and Research

Spiritual master of the whole world

Jagatguru Das Brahmacari
Titles and occupations in Hinduism Hindu philosophical concepts