Sanskrit terminology has been slowly creeping into common usage outside of India, quite often incorrectly. Yoga, for example, has a widely understood meaning outside of India, which doesn’t reflect the actual meaning of the word. 

In this episode, Thom explains the meaning behind many of the titles applied to or bestowed upon various positions within the Vedic realm. You’ll learn the definitions for titles such as swami, yogi, yogini, and guru and understand the true meaning of these terms.

Episode Highlights:

[00:45] Umbrella Terms

[02:22] Acharya

[04:04] The Figurative Meaning

[05:59] The Connotative Meaning

[06:32] Grihasta and Grihasti

[09:15] Vanaprasta and Vanaprasti

[12:04] Sannyasz

[15:58] Yogi

[16:57] Guru

[17:44] Mahamandaleshwar, Swami and Akhara

[20:51] Maharaj

[23:37] Pandit or Pundit

[24:50] Maharishi, Maharishika

[26:50] Satguru or Sadguru

[28:43] Sadhu, Saddhaka, Saddhaki

[30:03] Shishya or Shishyi

[30:03] Swami

[32:01] Yogi, Yogini and Yoga

Useful Links

[email protected] 

https://thomknoles.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles

https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles

https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles

https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Registration is now open for Thom’s only rounding retreat for 2026, in Sedona from May 21-25.

This is your one and only opportunity this year for deep rest, stress release and consciousness expansion through industrial-strength meditation, along with twice-daily knowledge sessions with Thom.

You’ll enjoy delicious retreat-friendly meals and the beauty and healing powers of the Red Rocks of Sedona. 

Register before February 28th and you’ll save $500 on your retreat fee. 

You can find out more at thomknoles.com/sedona.