The term Prabhuji

The term Prabhuji
by H.G. Swami Ramananda 

Several years ago, around 2009, some disciples, followers and friends of His Holiness Avadhūta Bhaktivedānta Yogācārya Ramakrishnananda Bābājī Mahārāja, decided to refer to him as Prabhuji. In this article, I would like to clarify the deep meaning of this Sanskrit term. The word prabhu in Sanskrit means “a master , lord or a king” and it is applied in the scriptures to God and to the Guru.

Like many words in the Sanskrit language, the word is actually made of some components, and understanding its etymology, will lead us to discover its various meanings. The word prabhu is a combination of the root bhu which means “to become, to exist, to be, to live”, with the prefix pra, which can mean “forth, or forward” and which then, when attached to bhu applies- one who causes to exist, who gives life, from whom life emanates, that which sustains or maintains.

The prefix pra can also the meaning of very much, or supremacy, and then when attached to the root bhu will create the meanings “to be the master, to rule over”.

In the same scripture, (1.19.38), Mahārāja Parīkṣit, when he approaches the sage Śukadeva, asking him for spiritual guidance, in fact, accepting him as his guru, or spiritual master, addresses him as prabhu:

yac chrotavyam atho japyaṁ
yat kartavyaṁ nṛbhiḥ prabho
smartavyaṁ bhajanīyaṁ vā
brūhi yad vā viparyayam

“O prabhu, Please let me know what a man should hear, chant, remember and worship, and also what he should not do. Please explain all this to me.”