A Hindu religious teacher or mystic, often one who has taken vows of renunciation and dedicated their life to spiritual pursuits.
From Sanskrit svāmī meaning 'owner, master, lord,' derived from sva (one's own) + the possessive suffix -min. The term entered English through Hindi during the British colonial period in India.
While often translated as 'master,' the deeper meaning of swami relates to self-mastery rather than dominion over others - the swami is one who has mastered their own mind and desires. This title represents one of the highest spiritual achievements in Hindu tradition, requiring years of study, meditation, and renunciation.
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