# गुरु (guru)

Canonical page: https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/guru

गुरु (guru) is a Sanskrit word meaning heavy or weighty, heavy in the stomach and difficult to digest, great, large, extended, long, long by nature or position, excessive, violent, or difficult, grievous. Its 82 recorded definitions are grouped into 14 contexts, among them Specific Deities, Sages, or Figures as Guru, Heavy, Weighty (Physical), Venerable Person, Elder, Parent.

- **Etymology:** E. गॄ to sound or speak, &c. Uṇādi affix कु, and उ substituted for ऋ; declaring the mode of performing the rites, &c — E. gṝ to sound or speak, &c. Uṇādi affix ku, and u substituted for ṛ; declaring the mode of performing the rites, &c
- **SLP1:** `guru`  **IAST:** guru  **Devanagari:** गुरु
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru
- **Declensions:** 72 forms — https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/guru/declensions.md
- **Other headwords romanised the same way:** गुरू (gurū)

## Meanings by context

### Specific Deities, Sages, or Figures as Guru (17 definitions)
- author of a Mantra  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (with Śāktas) author of a Mantra [ ID=66000 ]
- preceptor of the gods, Brihaspati  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > ‘preceptor of the gods’, Bṛhaspati, Manu-smṛti (Title) xi [ ID=66001 ]
- Drona  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > ‘Pāṇḍu-teacher’, Droṇa, L. [ ID=66003 ]
- a celebrated teacher of the Mimamsa philosophy  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > Prabhā-kara (celebrated teacher of the Mīmāṃsā, usually mentioned with Kumārila), Saṃkṣepa-śaṃkara-vijaya (Title) vi, 50; xv, 157 [ ID=66004 ]
- 1. A son of Samkriti. 2. Parents.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > N. of a son of Saṃkṛti, Bhāgavata-purāṇa (Title) ix, 21, 2 du. parents, MBh. [ ID=66007 ]
- Brihaspati, the preceptor of the gods  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — रुः (ruḥ) 6 N. of Bṛhaspati, the preceptor of the gods; गुरुं नेत्रसहस्रेण (guruṃ netrasahasreṇa) चोदयामास वासवः (codayāmāsa vāsavaḥ) Kumārasambhava (Bombay) 2. 29; Pañcatantra (Bombay) 1. 230
- Name of Drona, teacher of the Kauravas and Pandavas.  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — रुः (ruḥ) 10 N. of Droṇa, teacher of ( pb ) the Kauravas and Pāṇḍavas
- the name of Prabhakara, leader of the Prabhakara school of Mimamsakas  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — रुः (ruḥ) 11 N. of Prabhākara, the leader of a school of the Mīmāṃsakas (called after him Prābhākara)
- The supreme spirit  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — रुः (ruḥ) 12 The supreme spirit
- the Supreme soul  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — मः (maḥ) ) the Supreme soul
- Brihaspati or the planet Jupiter  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 314-1 ] Guru 1 = Bṛhaspati: II, 303 (in the palace of Indra): VIII, 3304, XII, 5333 ( pratilomo 'bhavad Guruḥ, i.e. the planet Jupiter). [ ID=4301 ]
- Drona  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > Guru 2 = Droṇa: I, 574 ( °oḥ sutaṃ, i.e. Aśvatthāman); VII, †6727, 7272; VIII, 4066 ( °oḥ sutaṃ, i.e. Aśvatthāman); X, 614 ( D° ), 757, 764 ( °oḥ sutaḥ, i.e. Aśvatthāman). Cf. Ācārya. [ ID=4302 ]
- Shiva  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > Guru 3 = Śiva: XIII, 696, 1245 (1000 names 2 ). [ ID=4303 ]
- Vishnu  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > Guru 4 = Viṣṇu (1000 names). [ ID=4304 ]
- a son of Samkriti  
  *The Purana Index*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 1-537 ] Guru (I) — a son of Samkṛti. Bhā. XI. 21. 2. [ ID=4240 ]
- a son of Bhautya Manu  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Guru (II) — a son of Bhautya Manu. Br. IV. 1. 114. Vā. 110. 51. [ ID=4241 ]
- a sage  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Guru (V) — a sage. M. 196. 45. [ ID=4244 ]

### Heavy, Weighty (Physical) (12 definitions)
- heavy or weighty  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H1) [Printed book page 359,2] गुरु (guru) mf( वी (vī) )n. ( cf. गिरि (giri); comp. गरीयस् (garīyas), once ° यस् - तर (°yas-tara), गुरु (guru)- तर (guru-tara), superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha), गुरु (guru) तम (gurutama) See ss.vv. ) heavy, weighty (opposed to लघु (laghu) ), Ṛg-veda (Title) i, 39, 3 and iv, 5, 6; AV. &c. ( g. शौण्डा (śauṇḍā) दि (di), Gaṇaratna-mahodadhi (Title) 101 ) [ ID=65987 ]
- heavy in the stomach and difficult to digest  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > heavy in the stomach (food), difficult to digest, Mahābhārata (Title) i, 3334; Suśr. [ ID=65988 ]
- Heavy  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 1 Heavy, weighty ( opp. लघु (laghu) ); ( fig. also); तेन धूर्जगतो गुर्वी सचिवेषु (tena dhūrjagato gurvī saciveṣu) ( pb ) निचिक्षिपे (nicikṣipe) Raghuvaṃśa (Bombay) 1. 34; 3. 35; 12. 102; Ṛtusaṃhāra (Bombay) 1. 7
- Heavy, hard to digest  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 8 Heavy, hard of digestion (as food)
- 1. Heavy, great, violent, serious, important, venerable, or prosodically long. 2. A venerable or highly respected person such as a parent, elder relative, or teacher.  
  *Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 085-2 ] गुरु (guru) gur-ú, a. ( v-ī ) heavy; heavier than ( ab. ); great, large; violent, serious, hard, severe; weary, sad ( days ); important, weighty, of much account; venerable; prosodically long; m. venerable or highly respected person: father, mother, or elder relative, esp. teacher: du. parents; pl. parents and other venerable persons, also teacher ( pl. of respect ); chief of ( g. pl. or —° ). [ ID=7025 ]
- 1. Heavy or weighty. 2. Great, large, or eminent. 3. Difficult or arduous. 4. Important. 5. Much or excessive. 6. Best or excellent. 7. Venerable or respectable. 8. Dear, valuable, or highly prized. 9. Accented long, as a vowel or foot. 10. A long vowel equal to two matras. 11. A spiritual parent, natural parent, or religious preceptor. 12. A teacher who explains law and religion. 13. Vrihaspati, the preceptor of the gods. 14. A father or venerable male relative.  
  *Wilson Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 293 ] गुरु (guru) mfn. ( - गुरु (guru) ः गुर्व्वी गुरु (guru) (-guruḥ gurvvī guru) ) 1 Heavy, weighty. 2 Great, (large or eminent.) 2 Difficult, arduous. 4 Important. 5 Much, excessive. 6 Best, excellent. 7 Venerable, respectable. 8 Dear, valuable, highly prized. 9 Accented long, (as a foot or vowel.) mn. ( - रुः (-ruḥ)- रु (-ruḥ-ru) ) The long vowel, a sound equal to two Mātras or simple sounds. m. ( - रुः (-ruḥ) ) 1 A spiritual parent, from whom the youth receives the initiatory Mantra or prayer, and who conducts the ceremonies necessary at various seasons of infancy and youth, up to the period of investiture with the characteristic thread or string; this person may be the natural parent or the religious preceptor. 2 A religious teacher, one who explains the law and religion to his pupil, instructs him in the Śāstras, &c. 3 A name of VṚHASPATI, who is considered as the Guru or preceptor of the gods. 4 A father or any venerable male relation. E. गॄ (gṝ) to sound or speak, &c. Uṇādi affix कु (ku), and उ (u) substituted for ऋ (ṛ); declaring the mode of performing the rites, &c. [ ID=13721 ]
- 1. Heavy or weighty. 2. Great, large, or extended. 3. Difficult or arduous. 4. Violent or excessive. 5. Important or momentous. 6. Long in duration. 7. Best or excellent. 8. Dear or beloved. 9. Venerable or respectable. 10. Haughty or proud. 11. A long syllable in prosody.  
  *Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > ग (ga) ुरु (ru) (guru) [Printed book page 246-25 ] ग (ga) ुरु (ru) (guru) (I) a. (f. रु (ru) or र्वी (rvī); compar. ग (ga) रीयस् (garīyas), super. ग (ga) रिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) ) 1. Heavy, weighty, Rt. i.7, R. xii.102; 2. great, large, extended; 3. difficult, arduous, कांताविरहग (ga) ुरु (ru) (guru) णा (kāṃtāvirahaguruṇā) Megh. i.1, तेन धूर्जग (ga) तो ग (ga) ुर्वी (rvī) सचिवेषु निचिक्षिपे (tena dhūrjagato gurvī saciveṣu nicikṣipe) R. i.34, ii.35; 4. violent, excessive, ग (ga) ुरु (ru) (guru) ः प्रहर्षः प्रबभूवनात्म (ma) नि (guruḥ praharṣaḥ prababhūvanātmani) R. iii.17, Bg. vi.22; 5. important, momentous, स्वार्थात् सतां ग (ga) ुरु (ru) (guru) तरा प्रणयिक्रियैव (svārthāt satāṃ gurutarā praṇayikriyaiva) Vikr. iv.; 6. long (in duration), ग (ga) ुरु (ru) (guru) षु दिवसेष्वेषु ग (ga) च्छत्सु (guruṣu divaseṣveṣu gacchatsu) Megh. ii.20; 7. best, excellent; 8. dear, beloved; 9. venerable, respectable; 10. haughty, proud (as a speech); 11. (a syallable) long by nature or position (as म (ma) ा (mā) in म (ma) ा (mā) न् (mān) or म (ma) in म (ma) त्सर (matsara) ); it is usually represented by the letter ग (ga) (in prosody), e.g. अग (ga) ुरु (ru) (guru) चतुष्कं भवति ग (ga) ुरू द्वौ घनकुचयुग (ga) ्म (ma) े शशिवदनाऽसौ (agurucatuṣkaṃ bhavati gurū dvau ghanakucayugme śaśivadanā'sau) Sr.B. [ ID=12309 ]
- 1. Heavy. 2. Great or eminent. 3. Difficult. 4. Important. 5. Excessive. 6. Excellent. 7. Venerable. 8. Dear or valuable. 9. Long, as a vowel. 10. A long vowel. 11. A spiritual parent or religious teacher. 12. Brihaspati, the preceptor of the gods. 13. A father or venerable male relation.  
  *Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 241-b ] गुरु (guru) mfn. ( - गुरु (guru) ः - गुर्व्वी - गुरु (guru) (-guruḥ-gurvvī-guru) ) 1. Heavy, weighty. 2. Great, (large or eminent) 3. Difficult, arduous. 4. Important. 5. Much, excessive. 6. Best, excellent. 7. Venerable, respectable. 8. Dear, valuable, highly prized. 9. Accented long, (as a foot or vowel.) mn. ( - रुः (-ruḥ)- रु (-ruḥ-ru) ) The long vowel, a sound equal to two Matras or simple sounds. m. ( - रुः (-ruḥ) ) 1. A spiritual parent, from whom the youth receives the initiatory Mantra or prayer, and who conducts the ceremonies necessary at various seasons of infancy and youth, up to the period of investiture with the characteristic thread or string; this person may be the natural parent or the religious preceptor. 2. A religious teacher, one who explains the law and religion to his pupil, instructs him in Sastras, &c. 3. A name of VRIHASPATI, who is considered as the Guru or preceptor of the gods. 4. A father or any venerable male relation. E. गृ (gṛ) to sound or speak, &c. Unadi affix कु (ku) and उ (u) substituted for ऋ; (ṛ;) declaring the mode of performing the rites, &c. [ ID=13712 ]
- 1. Heavy, great, large, violent, weighty, important, dear, or venerable. 2. A father, mother, husband, or any venerable male or female relation. 3. A spiritual teacher or object of veneration.  
  *Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0267-a ] गुरु (guru) gur + u (for original, gar-u; cf. compar. gar + īyaṃs, βαρύ), I. adj., f. gurvi, 1. Heavy, MBh. 3, 885. 2. Great, Bhartṛ. 2, 50; large, Pañc. 51, 8. 3. Violent, Vikr. d. 6. 4. Weighty, Brāhmaṇ. 2, 6; important, Man. 9, 52. 5. Dear, MBh. i, 2749. 6. Venerable, Man. 2, 133. II. m. and f. A father or mother, a husband, or any venerable male or female relation, Rām. 1, 22, 20; Sāv. 4, 22; Sund. 4, 15. III. m. 1. A spiritual teacher, Man. 2, 142. 2. An object of veneration Böhtl. Ind. Spr. 868. Compar. 1. gurutara. Heavier, MBh. 3, 13292; fem. tarā, MBh. 1, 3267 ( tarī, Indr. 5, 41, is to be changed to Page0267-b+ 41 tarā, according to the Calc. ed. 3, 1857). 2. garīyaṃs, Very heavy, Rām. 6, 82, 43. 3. Preferable, Böhtl. Ind. Spr. 910. Superl. gurutama, gariṣṭha. — Comp. Ati-, adj. exceedingly heavy, Ṛt. 6, 31. Compar. atigarīyaṃs, too dear, Daśak. in Chr. 188, 2. Indra-, m. Indra's teacher, Śāk. 101, 11. Gaurī-, m. a name of the Himālaya, Śāk. d. 144. Jagat-, m. a name of Brahman, Viṣṇu, Śiva, Rāma, Rām. 3, 6, 18. Sura-, m. Bṛhaspati, the teacher of the gods. — Cf. βαρύς, etc. ἐπι-ζαρέω; Lat. gravis; Goth. kaurs, kauritha; A.S. caru, Engl. care. [ ID=4504 ]
- 1. Heavy, weighty, large, great, long in prosody, strong, vehement, difficult, bad, important, or venerable. 2. A venerable person such as a parent, teacher, or elder relative. 3. A pregnant woman.  
  *Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 154 ] गुरु (guru) f. गुर्वी (gurvī) a. heavy, weighty ( w. abl. also = गुरु (guru) तर (gurutara) ), big, large, great, long (prosod.); strong, vehement; difficult, hard; bad, evil; important, valuable, venerable. Comp. गुरु (guru) तर (gurutara) & गरीयंस् (garīyaṃs) heavier, weightier, etc. than ( abl. ); very heavy, weighty etc.; superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) very big or swollen. — m. any venerable person, as father, mother ( du. the parents), teacher (also pl. ), esp. Brhaspati as the teacher of the gods, any elder relative; chief of (—°). f. गुर्वी (gurvī) pregnant, a pregnant woman. [ ID=9575 ]
- 1. Heavy. 2. Important. 3. Worthy of honor. 4. A teacher or spiritual preceptor.  
  *Lanman's Sanskrit Reader Vocabulary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 150-b ] gurú, a. —1. heavy; and so —2. fig. ( like Eng. weighty), important; —3. worthy of honor, 28 13; —4. as m. the one to be honored κατ᾽ ἐξοχήν, the teacher or Guru, 60 4 ff.; loc. gurau: in the house of the Guru, 61 23; in case of a Guru, 104 4. [ cf. Page151-a+ 50 the comp. gárīyāṃs: cf. βαρύς, Lat. gravis, *garu-i-s, Goth. kaurus, ‘heavy.’] [ ID=1379 ]
- heavy, weighty, difficult to digest; great, large, extended, long; long in prosody; high in degree, vehement, excessive, deep; difficult, hard, grievous; important, serious, momentous; valuable, dear; haughty; venerable, respectable; best, excellent; any venerable or respectable person, a spiritual preceptor or teacher; Brihaspati or the planet Jupiter; an epithet of Drona; pregnant; the wife of a teacher  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872)*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0293-b ] गुरु (guru) guru, us, vī, u (said to be fr. rt. 2. gṝ, compar. garīyas, superl. gariṣṭha, in Mahā-bh. VII. 5324, compar. garīyastara ), heavy, weighty (opposed to laghu ), heavy in the stomach (as food), difficult to digest; great, large, extended, long; (in prosody) long by nature or position (as a long vowel taken alone or a short vowel before two consonants; sometimes a long vowel followed by consonants is called garīyas ); high in degree, vehement, violent, excessive, deep, much; difficult, hard; grievous; im- portant, serious, momentous; valuable, highly prized; dear, beloved; haughty, proud (as a speech); venerable, respectable; best, excellent; ( us ), m. any venerable or respectable person, as a father, mother, or any relative older than one's self; a spiritual parent or preceptor from whom a youth receives the initiatory Mantra or prayer and who conducts the necessary ceremonies up to the period of investiture with the sacrificial thread or string; this person may be the natural parent or the religious preceptor; a religious teacher, one who explains the law and religion to his pupil, instructs him in the Śāstras &c. a N. of Bṛhaspati or the planet Jupiter, who is con- sidered as the Guru or preceptor of the gods; an epithet of Droṇa, the teacher of the Pāṇḍus; N. of a son of Saṅkṛti; ( vī ), f. pregnant, a pregnant woman; the wife of a teacher; [cf. Gr. βαρύς; Lat. gravis; Goth. kauriths; Lith. giéras.] —Guru-kāra, as, m. worship, adoration. —Guru- kārya, am, n. a serious or momentous affair, the business or office of a spiritual teacher. —Guru-kula, am, n. the family of a spiritual preceptor or parent. —Guru-kṛta, as, ā, am, worshipped. —Guru- kopa, as, m. violent wrath. —Guru-krama, as, m. instruction handed down through a series of teachers, traditionary instruction. —Guru-gata, as, ā, am, being with or belonging to a spiritual teacher. —Guru- gītā, f. title of a section in the Skanda-Purāṇa relating to Gurus or spiritual preceptors. —Guru- ghna, as, ī, am, destroying or killing a spiritual teacher; ( as ), m. white mustard. —Guru-jana, as, m. any venerable or elder person, a father, mother, the elders of a family &c. —Guru-tama, as, ā, am, most important &c. ( as ), m. the best teacher. —Guru-tara, as, ā, am, heavier, more important. —Guru-talpa, as, m. the bed of a teacher; the violation of a teacher's bed; a violator of his teacher's bed. —Gurutalpa-ga, as, m. a violator of his teacher's bed; the violation of it (?). —Gurutalpa- vrata, am, n. penance for intercourse with the wife of a Guru. —Gurutalpābhigamana (°pa-abh°), am, n. violation of a teacher's bed. —Gurutalpin, ī, inī, i, one who has criminal intercourse with his teacher's wife. —Guru-tā, f. weight, heaviness, bur- den, trouble; dignity; importance; the office of a teacher. —Guru-tāpa, as, m. excessive heat. —Guru- tva, am, n. weight, heaviness; burden, trouble; severity, hardness; greatness, magnitude; respect- ability, venerableness, sacredness; the office of a teacher. —Gurutvaka, am, n. heaviness. —Guru- dakṣiṇā, f. a fee given to a spiritual preceptor. —Guru-dāna, am, n. a Guru's gift, a present to a Page0293-c+ 76 religious teacher. —Guru-dāsa, as, m., N. of a teacher. —Guru-dīkṣā-tantra, am, n., N. of a Tantra. —Guru-daivata, as, m. the eighth lunar constellation Puṣya, (of which Bṛhaspati is the ruling deity.) —Guru-pattrā, f. the Tamarind tree; ( am ), n. tin. —Guru-paripāṭī, f. a series of Jaina sages. —Guru-pāka, as, ā, am, difficult of digestion. —Guru-pūjā, f. the ceremonies in propitiation of Bṛhaspati when a work is to be performed or undertaken; the worship of one's spiritual guide. —Guru-pramoda, as, m. happiness, delight. —Gu- ru-prasāda, as, m. propitiousness or the favour of one's Guru; the product of a Guru's blessing, i. e. learning &c. —Guru-priya, as, ā, am, dear to a preceptor. —Guru-bha, as, m. the constellation of Bṛhaspati, i. e. the lunar mansion Puṣya. —Guru-bhāra, as, m., N. of a son of Garuḍa. —Guru-bhāva, as, m. the condition of a spiritual preceptor, importance, consequence, weight. —Guru- bhṛt, t, t, t, Ved. bearing heavy things (as the earth). —Guru-mat, ān, atī, at, containing a vowel which is long by nature or position. —Guru-mardala, as, m. a kind of drum or tabor. —Guru-ratna, am, n. a topaz. —Gurulaghu-tā, f. (fr. guru-laghu ), heaviness and lightness. —Guru-lāghava, as, m. (?) length and shortness of vowels; ( am ), n. great and small importance, relative importance or value. —Guru-vat, ind. like a Guru, as a Guru, as if to a Guru. —Guruvad-vṛtti, is, f. behaving to any one with as much respect as to a sacred teacher. —Guru- varco-ghna, as, m. the lime or citron, = limpāka. —Guru-varṇa, as, m. a heavy vowel; [cf. guru. ] —Gu- ru-vartin, ī, inī, i, or guru-vṛtta, as, ā, am, treat- ing parents or venerable persons with respect. —Guru- vāra, as, m. the day of Jupiter, Thursday. —Guru- vṛtti, is, is, i, long by nature. —Guru-vyatha, as, ā, am, heavily distressed. —Guru-śiṃśapā, f. the tree Dalbergia Sisu; [cf. śiṃśapā. ] —Guru-śikharin, ī, m. epithet of the Himālaya (the venerable moun- tain). —Guru-śiṣya-saṃvāda, as, m. a philoso- phical dialogue by Caraṇa-dāsa. —Guru-śuśrūṣā, f. service of a Guru. —Guru-śokānala (°ka-an°), as, m. the fire of heavy sorrow. —Guru-sārā, f., N. of a tree, = śiṃśapā. —Guru-sevā, f. obsequiousness to a spiritual preceptor. —Guru-skandha, as, m., N. of a large mountain. —Guru-sthira, as, ā, am, very firm. —Guru-han, ā, m. the murderer of a Guru or spiritual parent; (this is the worst of all criminals according to the Hindūs.) —Gurv-akṣara, am, n. a long syllable. —Gurv-aṅganā, f. the wife of a Guru; any woman entitled to great respect. —Gurv-artha, as, m. a Guru's fee for instructing a pupil; ( am ), ind. for or on account of a Guru; ( as, ā, am ), important. —Gurvartha-gahvara, as, ā, am, deep in meaning. [ ID=17524 ]

### Venerable Person, Elder, Parent (10 definitions)
- venerable  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > venerable, respectable [ ID=65996 ]
- any venerable or respectable person  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > गुरु (guru) m. any venerable or respectable person (father, mother, or any relative older than one's self), Gobh.; ŚāṅkhGṛ.; Mn. &c. [ ID=65997 ]
- parents and other venerable persons  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > गुरु (guru) m. pl. parents and other venerable persons, Manu-smṛti (Title) iv; Vikramorvaśī (Title) v, 10; Kathās. [ ID=66008 ]
- A mother or venerable woman.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H1B) [Printed book page 359,2] गुर्वी (vī) (gurvī) a ( वी (vī) ), f. ‘venerable woman’, a mother, Āpastamba-dharma-sūtra (Title) i, 21, 9 [ ID=66010 ]
- Venerable, respectable  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 7 Venerable, respectable
- 1. A father. 2. A forefather or ancestor.  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — रुः (ruḥ) 1 ( a ) A father; न केवलं (na kevalaṃ) तद्गुरुरेकपार्थिवः क्षितावभूदेकधनुर्धरोऽपि सः (tadgururekapārthivaḥ kṣitāvabhūdekadhanurdharo'pi saḥ) Raghuvaṃśa (Bombay) 3. 31, 48; 4. 1; 8. 29. ( b ) Forefather, ancestor; Uttararāmacarita 5. 28
- Any respectable or elderly person, or an elder relative  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — रुः (ruḥ) 2 Any venerable or respectable person, an elderly personage or relative, the elders ( pl. ) शुश्रूषस्व गुरून् (śuśrūṣasva gurūn) Śakuntalā (Bombay) 4. 17; Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 2. 5; Bhāminīvilāsa (Bombay) 2. 7, 18, 19, 49; आज्ञा (ājñā) गुरूणां ह्यविचारणीया (gurūṇāṃ hyavicāraṇīyā) Raghuvaṃśa (Bombay) 14. 46
- highly revered  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — उत्तम (uttama) a. highly revered. (
- Any venerable person, an elderly relative, or the elders collectively  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — जनः (janaḥ) any venerable person, an elderly relative, the elders collectively; नापेक्षितो (nāpekṣito) गुरुजनः (janaḥ) (gurujanaḥ) Kādambarī (Bombay) 158; Bhāminīvilāsa (Bombay) 2. 7
- 1. A father. 2. Any venerable or respectable person or elderly relative. 3. A teacher or preceptor. 4. A spiritual or religious teacher. 5. A leader or chief. 6. The Pushya constellation. 7. The propounder of a new doctrine. 8. Brihaspati, the preceptor of the gods. 9. The planet Jupiter. 10. Drona, the teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas. 11. Prabhakara, the leader of the Mimamsaka school.  
  *Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) (II) m. 1. A father, स राज्यं गुरु (guru) णा दत्तं प्रतिपद्याधिकं बभौ (sa rājyaṃ guruṇā dattaṃ pratipadyādhikaṃ babhau) R. iv.1, iii.31, 48; 2. any venerable or respectable person, an elderly relative, गुरु (guru) जनभयमद्विलोकनांतःसमुदयदाकुलभावमुद्वहंत्या (gurujanabhayamadvilokanāṃtaḥsamudayadākulabhāvamudvahaṃtyā) Bh.V. ii.7, 18, 19, 49, Bg. ii.5; 3. a teacher, a preceptor; 4. a spiritual preceptor, a religious teacher, तौ दंपती वसिष्ठस्य गुरोर्जग्मतुराश्रमम् (tau daṃpatī vasiṣṭhasya gurorjagmaturāśramam) R. i.35, 57, especially one who performs purificatory ceremonies over a boy and initiates him into the sacred lore, Yaj. i.34; 5. head, chief, गुरु (guru) र्नृपाणां गुरवे निवेद्य (gururnṛpāṇāṃ gurave nivedya) R. ii.68; 6. the constellation called Pushya; 7. the propounder of a new doctrine; 8. name of Bṛihaspati, the preceptor of gods; 9. the planet Jupiter, गुरु (guru) काव्यानुगां बिभ्रच्चांद्रीमभिनभःश्रियम् (gurukāvyānugāṃ bibhraccāṃdrīmabhinabhaḥśriyam) Sis. ii.2; 10. an epithet of Droṇa, the teacher of the Pāṇḍavas and Kauravas; 11. an epithet of Prabhākara, the leader of that school of the Mīmānsakas which goes by his name. [ ID=12310 ]

### Teacher, Preceptor, Spiritual Guide (9 definitions)
- a spiritual parent or preceptor  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > a spiritual parent or preceptor (from whom a youth receives the initiatory Mantra or prayer, who instructs him in the Śāstras and conducts the necessary ceremonies up to that of investiture which is performed by the Ācārya, Yājñavalkya (Author) i, 34 ), RPrāt.; ĀśvGṛ.; PārGṛ.; Mn. &c. [ ID=65998 ]
- the chief of  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > the chief of ( gen. or in comp. ), Cāṇ.; Raghuvaṃśa (Title) ii, 68 [ ID=65999 ]
- an honorific title of a preceptor, also used in the plural  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > a honorific appellation of a preceptor (whose N. is also put in the pl. ), Jain, Hit. [ ID=66009 ]
- A teacher or preceptor.  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — रुः (ruḥ) 3 A teacher, preceptor; गुरुशिष्यौ (guruśiṣyau)
- A religious teacher or spiritual preceptor.  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — रुः (ruḥ) 4 Particularly, a religious teacher, spiritual preceptor; तौ गुरुर्गुरुपत्नी च (tau gururgurupatnī ca) प्रीत्या प्रतिननंदतुः (prītyā pratinanaṃdatuḥ) Raghuvaṃśa (Bombay) 1. 57; (technically a Guru is one who performs the purificatory ceremonies over a boy and instructs him in the Vedas; स गुरुर्यः क्रियाः कृत्वा वेदमस्मै (sa gururyaḥ kriyāḥ kṛtvā vedamasmai) प्रयच्छति (prayacchati) Yājñavalkya (Mr. Mandlik’s Edition) 1. 34 )
- A lord, head, superintendent, or ruler  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — रुः (ruḥ) 5 A lord, head, superintendent, ruler; वर्णाश्रमाणां (varṇāśramāṇāṃ) गुरवे स वर्णी (gurave sa varṇī) Raghuvaṃśa (Bombay) 5. 19 the head of the castes or orders; गुरुर्नृपाणां गुरवे निवेद्य (gururnṛpāṇāṃ gurave nivedya) 2. 68
- The propounder of a new doctrine  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — रुः (ruḥ) 8 The propounder of a new doctrine
- 1. A spiritual parent or teacher, or the planet Jupiter. 2. Heavy, great, difficult, excellent, dear, or a long vowel.  
  *Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 256-a ] गुरु (guru) ( रुः ) ((ruḥ)) 1. m. A spiritual parent or teacher; Jupiter or its regent. a. Heavy; great; difficult; excellent; dear; long (vowel). [ ID=13175 ]
- 1. devotion to the teacher 2. service of the teacher 3. implicit obedience to the teacher 4. honoring the teacher like a king and a god  
  *The Purana Index*
  > [Printed book page 1-538 ] Guru (III) — devotion to, praised by Kaca; his daughter cannot be married by a pupil, as she stands in relation of a sister. 1 Guru (śuśrūṣa) service of the teacher pleases Hari. Kṛṣṇa's discourse on service to guru, and his tribute to his teacher Sāndīpāni. It is said that guru's blessings make a man rise to his full stature. 2 Different kinds of guru — mahāguru, ācārya, deśīka and others. 3 Implicit obedience to. Transgressing his orders leads one to be born an aerial spirit: fit to be honoured like a king and a god. 4 [ Footnote: 1) M. 25. 69; 26. 6-8, 12-16.] [ Footnote: 2) Bhā. X. 80. 28-43.] [ Footnote: 3) Br. IV. 8. 3-6.] [ Footnote: 4) Ib. 43. 37-59.] [ ID=4242 ]

### Important, Serious, Valuable (7 definitions)
- important, serious, momentous  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > important, serious, momentous, MBh. &c. [ ID=65993 ]
- valuable, highly prized  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > valuable, highly prized, Yājñavalkya (Author) ii, 30 ( गुरु (guru) = गरीयस् (garīyas) ) &c. [ ID=65994 ]
- Important, momentous, great  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 4 Important, momentous, great; विभवगुरु (guru) भिः कृत्यैः (vibhavagurubhiḥ kṛtyaiḥ) Śakuntalā (Bombay) 4. 18; स्वार्थात्सतां (svārthātsatāṃ) गुरु (guru) तरा प्रणयिक्रियैव (gurutarā praṇayikriyaiva) Vikramorvaśīyam (Bombay) 4. 15; Kumārasambhava (Bombay) 3. 13, Bhartṛhari’s three Śatakas (the figures 1., 2., 3. after Bh. denoting Śṛṅgāraº, Nītiº, and Vairāgyaº) 3. 7; Raghuvaṃśa (Bombay) 14. 35
- Best, excellent  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 9 Best, excellent
- Dear, beloved  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 10 Dear, beloved
- Valuable, highly prized  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 15 Valuable, highly prized
- important  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — अर्थ (artha) a. important. (

### Astronomical/Astrological References (6 definitions)
- the planet Jupiter  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (hence) the planet Jupiter, Jyot.; VarBṛS.; Bhartṛ. &c. [ ID=66002 ]
- venerable, the ninth astrological mansion  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (= धर्म (dharma) ) ‘venerable’, the 9th astrological mansion, Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā (Title) i, 16 [ ID=66005 ]
- The planet Jupiter  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — रुः (ruḥ) 7 The planet Jupiter; गुरुकाव्यानुगां बिभ्रच्चांद्रीमभिनभः श्रियं (gurukāvyānugāṃ bibhraccāṃdrīmabhinabhaḥ śriyaṃ) Śiśupālavadha 2. 2
- The lunar asterism called Pushya.  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — रुः (ruḥ) 9 The lunar asterism called पुष्य (puṣya)
- 1. The pushya constellation. 2. A bow. 3. The zodiac sign Pisces.  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — भं (bhaṃ) 1 the constellation पुष्य (puṣya). 2 a bow. 3 the sign pisces of the zodiac
- the planet Brihaspati  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Guru (IV) — the planet Bṛhaspati. M. 93. 14. [ ID=4243 ]

### Intense, Severe, Difficult, Grievous (5 definitions)
- excessive, violent, or difficult  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > high in degree, vehement, violent, excessive, difficult, hard, RV.; MBh. &c. [ ID=65991 ]
- grievous  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > grievous, Meghadūta (Title) 80 [ ID=65992 ]
- Arduous or difficult to bear  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 5 Arduous, difficult (to bear); कांताविरहगुरु (guru) णा (kāṃtāvirahaguruṇā) शापेन (śāpena) Meghadūta (Bombay) 1
- Great, excessive, violent, or intense  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 6 Great, excessive, violent, intense; गुरु (guru) ः प्रहर्षः प्रबभूव (guruḥ praharṣaḥ prababhūva) नात्मनि (nātmani) Raghuvaṃśa (Bombay) 3. 17; गुर्वपि विरहदुःखं (gurvapi virahaduḥkhaṃ) Śakuntalā (Bombay) 4. 15; Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 6. 22
- Grievous  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 16 Grievous

### Haughty, Proud, Powerful (4 definitions)
- haughty or proud  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > haughty, proud (speech), Pañcat. [ ID=65995 ]
- Haughty or proud  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 11 Haughty, proud (as a speech)
- Irresistible  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 13 Irresistible, unassailable; Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 6. 1
- Mighty, powerful  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 14 Mighty, powerful

### Great, Large, Long (3 definitions)
- great, large, extended, long  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > great, large, extended, long, Yājñ. (see - क्रतु (-kratu) ), Bhartṛ. &c. [ ID=65989 ]
- Great, large, long  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 2 Great, large, long, extended
- Long in duration or length  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > गुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] गुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ गॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. गरीयस् (garīyas); superl. गरिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 3 Long (in duration or length); आरंभगुर्वी (āraṃbhagurvī) Bhartṛhari’s three Śatakas (the figures 1., 2., 3. after Bh. denoting Śṛṅgāraº, Nītiº, and Vairāgyaº) 2. 60; गुरु (guru) षु (guruṣu) दिवसेष्वेषु गच्छत्सु (divaseṣveṣu gacchatsu) Meghadūta (Bombay) 83

### Plants, Materials, and Specific Nouns (3 definitions)
- Mucuna pruritus  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > Mucuna pruritus, L. [ ID=66006 ]
- white mustard  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — घ्नः (ghnaḥ) white mustard
- the tamarind tree  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — पत्रा (patrā) the tamarind tree

### Prosody (Long Syllable/Vowel) (2 definitions)
- long by nature or position  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (in prosody) long by nature or position (a vowel), Prāt. (a vowel long both by nature and by position is called गरीयस् (garīyas), Ṛg-veda-prātiśākhya (Title) xviii, 20 ), Pāṇini (Author) i, 4, 11 and 12 [ ID=65990 ]
- Long, as a syllable in prosody  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > ग (ga) ुरु (guru) [Printed book page 0463-a ] ग (ga) ुरु (guru) a. ( रु - र्वी (ru-rvī) ) f. [ ग (ga) ॄ - कु उच्च (gṝ-ku ucca) Uṇādisūtras 1. 24. ] compar. ग (ga) रीयस् (garīyas); superl. ग (ga) रिष्ठ (gariṣṭha) 12 (In prosody) Long, as a syllable, either in itself, or being short, followed by a conjunct consonant &c.; e. g. ई (ī) in ई (ī) ड् (īḍ) or त (ta) in त (ta) स्कर (taskara). (It is usually represented by ग (ga) in works on prosody; मात (ta) ्त (ta) ौ (māttau) ग (ga) ौ चेच्छालिनी वेदलोकैः (gau cecchālinī vedalokaiḥ) &c.)

### Related to a Guru (Teacher): Actions, Items, Concepts (2 definitions)
- the wife of a teacher  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > the wife of a teacher, W. [ ID=66012 ]
- a teacher's fee for instructing a pupil  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — र्थः (rthaḥ) ) a preceptor's fee for instructing a pupil; गुर्वर्थमाहर्तुमहं यतिष्ये (gurvarthamāhartumahaṃ yatiṣye) Raghuvaṃśa (Bombay) 5. 17

### Etymological Information (1 definition)
- heavy, weighty  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H1E) [Printed book page 359,2] गुरु (guru) [ cf. βαρύς; Lat. gravis; Goth. kauriths; Lith. giéras.] [ ID=66013 ]

### Pregnant (1 definition)
- pregnant, a pregnant woman  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > ‘great (with child)’, pregnant, a pregnant woman, L. [ ID=66011 ]

## Sources

Definitions from Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Index to the Names in the Mahabharata; Lanman's Sanskrit Reader Vocabulary; Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872); Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899); Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary; The Purana Index; Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Wilson Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary.
Text from the Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, University of Cologne.

The Sanskrit Lexicon app for iPhone, iPad and Mac: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sanskrit-lexicon-dictionary/id6746787546