Asādhaka orsādhak orsādhaj (Sanskrit:साधक), inIndian religions andtraditions, such asJainism,Buddhism,Hinduism andYoga, is someone who follows a particularsādhanā, or a way of life designed to realize the goal of one's ultimate ideal, whether it is merging with one's eternal source,brahman, or realization of one's personal deity. The word is related to the Sanskritsādhu, which is derived from the verb rootsādh-, 'to accomplish'. As long as one has yet to reach the goal, they are asādhaka or sādhak, while one who has reached the goal is called asiddha.[1] In modern usage,sadhaka is often applied as a generic term for any religious practitioner. Inmedieval India, it was more narrowly used as a technical term for one who had gone through a specific initiation.[2]
Hindu,Jain,Tantric,Yogic andVajrayanaBuddhist traditions use the termsadhaka or sādhak for spiritual initiates and/or aspirants.[1][2][3]
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