Sadhaka, Sādhaka: 35 definitions

Introduction:

Sadhaka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

Alternative spellings of this word include Sadhak.

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In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

1) Sādhaka (साधक) refers to the “performer of the rite”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 1.3. Accordingly, “the attainment of Śiva’s region is the Achievable. Means of achievement is the service rendered unto Him. Sādhaka (the performer of the rite) is the person who is free from desire even for permanence which attitude is the result of His grace. Rites mentioned in the Vedas should be performed with the fruits thereof dedicated to Him. Thence, through Sālokya he attains the feet of the great Lord”.

2) Sādhaka (साधक) refers to the “(pure) pure activities of the aspirant” (of which the most important is mentioned as Prāṇāyāma), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.2 (“The Prayer of the gods).—Accordingly, as the Gods eulogized Śiva: “[...] Among the Yogas you are the Vyatīpāta; among creepers you are the Soma creeper; among intellectual activities you are the virtuous inclination, among intimate ones you are the wife. Among the pure activities of the aspirant (sādhaka), O great lord, you are Prāṇāyāma [sādhakānāṃ śucīnāṃ tvaṃ prāṇāyāmo]; among all Jyotirliṅgas you are Viśveśvara. [...]”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Sādhaka (साधक).—Dakṣa and other sons of Brahmā live in a place two crores of Yojanas above Maharloka.*

  • * Vāyu-purāṇa 101. 139.
Purana book cover
context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

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Ayurveda (science of life)

Source: Google Books: A Practical Approach to the Science of Ayurveda

Sādhaka (साधक).—One of the five upadoṣas (sub-functions) of pitta (one of the three biological humors).—

Location of sādhaka: Heart.

Functions of sādhaka: Removes dark thoughts and desires, increases intelligence, memory, wisdom and self-esteem.

Ailments of sādhaka due to vitiation: Psychological disturbances, fear, anger and greed; heart diseases.

Ayurveda book cover
context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

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Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Sādhaka (साधक) refers to “spiritual aspirants”, whose mask should be represented with long hair (lambakeśaka), according to Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 23. Providing masks is a component of nepathya (costumes and make-up) and is to be done in accordance with the science of āhāryābhinaya (extraneous representation).

Natyashastra book cover
context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

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Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: McGill: The architectural theory of the Mānasāra

Sādhaka (साधक).—In Śaiva Siddhānta, a sādhaka, “aspirant”, is initiated into the path of spiritual realization when Śiva himself, “under the guise of a Preceptor, imparts knowledge through upadeśa, instruction, śāstra, book, and anubhava, the resulting experience” (Sivaraman, Saivism in Philosophical Perspective, p. 396). With regard to the initiation of the sthapati, this role of preceptor is filled by the sthāpaka.

Vastushastra book cover
context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

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Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)

Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammar

Sādhaka (साधक).—Instrument of an activity; cf. सर्वाणि कारकाणि साधकानि (sarvāṇi kārakāṇi sādhakāni) M. Bh. on I. 1.42; cf. also साधकं निर्वर्तकं कारकसंज्ञं भवतीति वक्तव्यम् (sādhakaṃ nirvartakaṃ kārakasaṃjñaṃ bhavatīti vaktavyam) M. Bh. on I. 4.23. See the word कारक (kāraka) above.

Vyakarana book cover
context information

Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: academia.edu: Chapter Nineteen of the Kakṣapuṭatantra

Sādhaka (साधक) is a practitioner in the siddha tradition. ‘Siddha’ indicates a person who has already attained a certain siddhi. ‘Sādhaka’, on the contrary, indicates a person who aims at attaining a siddhi.

Source: Shodhganga: Temple management in the Āgamas

Sādhaka (साधक) refers to a Śaiva initiate who underwent the Nirvāṇadīkṣā, as defined in Dīkṣā (initiation) hierarchy.—Dīkṣā also gives rise to four broad hierarchies, depending on the ritual performed and the resulting spiritual progress. Samaya and Viśeṣa dīkṣā lead an initiate up to the rudra-tattva and īśvara-tattva. These initiates are called Samayī. In Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā, special processes cut the kārmic bonds and other bondages, making him a Putraka. Abhiṣeka with the sādhyamantra, along with other rituals, makes him a Sādhaka. Abhiṣeka with all mantras, along with other rituals, makes the Sādhaka an Ācārya. Each level of dīkṣā bestows certain rights and responsibilities on the initiate.

The Sādhaka and Ācārya can perform all nitya, naimittika and kāmya-pūjā. The Samayī, Putraka and Sādhaka all work under the Ācārya and assist him in different ways during the pūjā. They are all under a sort of apprenticeship, getting trained formally as well as by observation. [...] In the temple, the Ādiśaiva priests are classified by the āgama into five levels—Ācārya, Arcaka, Sādhaka, Alaṅkṛta and Vācaka. [...] The Sādhaka is responsible for organizing all the material required for the pūjā.

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

1) Sādhaka (साधक) refers to a “male practitioner”, according to the Siddhayogeśvarīmata chapter 10.—Accordingly, “[Bhairava spoke]:—First [before any other practice to attain a specific supernatural power], for all kinds of supernatural powers, [and] for expiatory purposes, one has to start the observance of the [ancillary] mantras, which destroys all obstacles. The male (sādhaka) or female practitioner, with his/her mind focused on the mantra, should perform worship according to prescriptions and then undertake the vow. [...]”.

2) Sādhaka (साधक) refers to the “two types of initiates”, according to the Svacchandatantra verse 4.79b-81b.—Accordingly, “The Sādhaka is of two kinds. On the one hand, there is the śivadharmī, for whom the cosmic path is purified by Śaiva mantras and who is yoked to [particular] mantras that are to be mastered; he is knowledgeable, consecrated [to office], and devoted to the propitiation of mantras. This Śaiva Sādhaka is capable [of mastering] the threefold supernatural powers. The second [kind of Sādhaka] adheres to the mundane path and is devoted to the performance of good and meritorious works; desiring the fruits produced by [his] karma, he abides solely [devoted to] meritorious [karma], free of the unmeritorious. [The Guru] should always perform the destruction of the unmeritorious portion [of the candidate’s karma] with mantras”.

Shaivism book cover
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Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

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Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)

Sādhaka (साधक) refers to “one who performs regulated spiritual discipline to achieve a specific goal”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhajana-rahasya - 2nd Edition

Sādhaka (साधक) refers to:—One who follows a spiritual discipline with the objective of achieving pure devotion for Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and more specifically, achieving bhāva-bhakti. (cf. Glossary page from Bhajana-Rahasya).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Arcana-dipika - 3rd Edition

Sādhaka (साधक) refers to:—One who follows a spiritual discipline with the objective of achieving pure devotion for Śrī kṛṣṇa, and more specifically, for achieving bhāva-bhakti. (cf. Glossary page from Arcana-dīpikā).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

Sādhaka (साधक) refers to:—One who follows a spiritual discipline, or sādhana. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).

Vaishnavism book cover
context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Sādhaka (साधक) refers to an “adept”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “How is (the conduct of) the follower of the Rule (samayin), the spiritual son (putraka) and the adept (sādhaka)? (What is) the state of the teacher (ācārya)? In brief, (what is) the teaching concerning the four stages of life (āśrama)”.

Shaktism book cover
context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

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General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

A sādhaka is a practitioner of a particular sādhanā. The term "sādhaka" is often synonymous with "yogini" or "yogi".

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Dhamma Dana: Pali English Glossary

N Proof.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

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Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: archive.org: The Indian Buddhist Iconography

Sādhaka (साधक) is one who “by means of the Sādhana undergoes a detailed mental exercise for the development of his spiritual or psychic powers”.

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): (Tibetan Buddhism)

Sādhaka (साधक) refers to a “practitioner” (of Yoga/Esoteric Buddhism), according to verse 14.24bd-27 of the Laghuśaṃvara, an ancient Buddhist Yoginī Tantra.—Accordingly, [while describing the Siddhi of speech]: “The Sādhaka [who has] the Siddhi of speech can certainly attract a king or queen by [merely] thinking [it]. He quickly controls gods, demons and men. When angry, he can kill with his speech and drive away his adversary. The practitioner (sādhaka) can thus effect a curse with his speech. And he can stop a river, a cart, a machine [like a water-wheel,] the ocean, elephants and horses, clouds, a man or bird merely by means of his speech. He achieves everything which he desires by his speech”.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
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Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

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Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Sādhaka (साधक) refers to a “practitioner (of mantras)”, according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, “Now there lived a Brahmin called Viṣṇudatta in Navanagara. He was wealthy with great riches, great revenues; he was endowed with copious acquisitions and means of subsistence. He had mastered the Vedas and Vedāṅgas. He was a mantra-reciter and mantra-practitioner (mantra-sādhaka). He summoned Nāgas again and again. He sacrificed fire oblations. [...]”.

Mahayana book cover
context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

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In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Jaina Yoga

Sādhaka (साधक) refers to a division of a śrāvaka (laymen), according to certain Digambadara Jains, eg., Āśādhara (Sāgāra-dharmāmṛta 1.19-20), and Medhāvin (Dharma-saṃgraha-śrāvakācāra 5.1-8). Sādhaka refers to one who concludes (sādhayati) his human incarnation in a final purification of the self by carrying out sallekhanā.

Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve Reflections

Sādhaka (साधक) refers to “(being) productive of (prosperity)”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “There is nothing like the doctrine which is productive of all prosperity (sarvābhyudaya-sādhaka), the root of the tree of bliss, beneficial, venerable and grants liberation. Snakes, fire, poison, tigers, elephants, lions, demons and kings, etc. do not hurt those whose selves are settled in the doctrine”.

General definition book cover
context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Sadhaka in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

sādhaka : (adj.) effecting; accomplishing. (nt.), a proof.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Sādhaka, (adj.) (fr. sādh) accomplishing, effecting J. I, 86; SnA 394, 415; Sdhp. 161; iṇa° debt-collector Miln. 365; bali° tax-collector J. IV, 366; V, 103, 105, 106. (Page 703)

Pali book cover
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Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

sādhaka (साधक).—a (S) That accomplishes, effects, brings about; or that is instrumental, conducive, promotive, helpful to or of. 2 By eminence. That is engaged in a course of rites and observances, acts and sufferings, in order to obtain Moksh or emancipation from personal or distinct existence. Ex. kiṃ sā0 jaisā nidhānājavaḷī || (virājita).

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

sādhaka (साधक).—a That accomplishes; that is instrumental.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

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Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Sādhaka (साधक).—a. [sādh-ṇvul, sidh-ṇic ṇvul sādhādeśaḥ vā Tv.] (-dhakā or -dhikā f.)

1) Accomplishing, fulfilling, effecting, completing.

2) Efficient, effective; त्वं सर्वतोगामि च साधकं च (tvaṃ sarvatogāmi ca sādhakaṃ ca) Kumārasambhava 3.12.

3) Skilful, adept.

4) Effecting by magic, magical.

5) Assisting, helping.

6) Conclusive.

-kaḥ 1 A magician.

2) One possessed of supernatural powers, a yogin; अविचलितमनोभिः साधकैर्मय्यमाणः (avicalitamanobhiḥ sādhakairmayyamāṇaḥ) Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 5.1.

-kā Name of Durgā.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Sādhaka (साधक).—mfn.

(-kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) Completing, perfecting, finishing, who or what effects or completes. f.

(-dhakā or dhikā) 1. Fulfilling. 2. Effecting by magic. 3. Skilful, adept. 4. Aiding, helping. E. sādh to finish, ṇvul aff.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Sādhaka (साधक).—[sādh + aka], I. adj., f. dhikā, 1. Accomplishing. 2. Helping, [Indralokāgamana] 5, 56. 3. Magical, [Pañcatantra] 241, 2; an adept, [Mālatīmādhava, (ed. Calc.)] 74, 6; 9, 7 ([Prakrit]). Ii. f. ikā, Deep sleep (= suṣupti, a vedantic term).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Sādhaka (साधक).—[feminine] dhikā accomplishing, effecting ([genetive] or —°); helping, useful; [masculine] assistant, worshipper, sorcerer.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Sādhaka (साधक):—[from sādh] mf(ikā)n. effective, efficient, productive of ([genitive case] or [compound]), accomplishing, fulfilling, completing, perfecting, finishing, [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

2) [v.s. ...] energizing (said of the fire supposed to burn within the heart and direct the faculty of volition), [Suśruta]

3) [v.s. ...] adapted to any purpose, useful, advantageous, [Mahābhārata; Purāṇa]

4) [v.s. ...] effecting by magic, magical, [Pañcatantra; Rājataraṅgiṇī]

5) [v.s. ...] demonstrating, conclusive, proving, [Sarvadarśana-saṃgraha]

6) [v.s. ...] m. an assistant, [Kāvya literature]

7) [v.s. ...] an efficient or skilful person, ([especially]) an adept, magician, [Kathāsaritsāgara]

8) [v.s. ...] a worshipper, [Mālatīmādhava]

9) Sādhakā (साधका):—[from sādhaka > sādh] f. Name of Durgā, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

10) Sādhaka (साधक):—[from sādh] n. ([probably]) = sādhana, proof, argument, [Kapila]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Sādhaka (साधक):—[(kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) a.] Completing.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Sādhaka (साधक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Sāhaga.

[Sanskrit to German]

Sadhaka in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

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Hindi dictionary

[«previous next»] — Sadhaka in Hindi glossary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Sādhaka (साधक) [Also spelled sadhak]:—(nm) one engaged in or devoted to spiritual achievement/accomplishment; (a) effective, instrumental, conducive; engaged in or devoted to spiritual achievement/accomplishment; ~[] engagement or devotion to spiritual achievement/accomplishment; effectiveness, instrumentality, conduciveness.

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Sādhaka (ಸಾಧಕ):—

1) [noun] the act, process of accomplishing; accomplishment.

2) [noun] the act of practising something for purpose of learning, acquiring proficiency, etc.; practice.

3) [noun] a man who practises for this purpose.

4) [noun] a man who accomplishes; an accomplisher.

5) [noun] a man who has achieved skill (in a particular field of activity).

6) [noun] a man who is skilled in sleight of hand, illusions, etc.; a magician.

7) [noun] the act of helping, providing assistance to another or others.

8) [noun] that which is achieved.

9) [noun] a man who has the knowledge of alchemy; an alchemist.

10) [noun] an exercising for building a strong body; body-building.

11) [noun] the art of using weapons; amartial art.

12) [noun] a thing by means of which something is done; a means; an instrument.

13) [noun] a food, used in small quantities for increasing the taste, appetite, etc. as pickles, chutney, etc.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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