sadhu
UK[ˈsɑːduː]US[ˈsɑːduː]
n
a hindu holy man, typically one who has renounced worldly desires and lives a life of austerity and meditation.
Etymology
the word 'sadhu' enters english directly from hindi and sanskrit, where 'sādhu' (साधु) originally meant "straight, good, virtuous, or holy." it is derived from the sanskrit root 'sādh-', meaning "to accomplish, to succeed, to go straight to a goal." this etymological sense of directness and moral accomplishment evolved to specifically denote a person who has achieved a high spiritual goal through ascetic practice. in english, it retains its specialized religious meaning, referring exclusively to a hindu ascetic or wandering monk who pursues liberation through discipline and renunciation, capturing the core concept of one who has successfully followed a straight spiritual path.
Analysis
the word is a direct loanword from sanskrit, adopted into english as a single, unanalyzed lexical unit.
Examples
the sadhu sat in deep meditation by the banks of the ganges.
many pilgrims travel to varanasi to seek blessings from the sadhus.
he renounced his possessions to live the simple life of a sadhu.