Most of us think all the words are the same and can be interchanged as per our knowledge, but these four words have specific purposes and meaning, find out below what each one means,
Rishi (ऋषि)-Manusmiriti defines Rishi as both denoting the Vedas and also those who excel at Vedas both in words and actions, in simple words, they complete in terms of knowledge of Vedas and incarnating the knowledge of Vedas in them,
There are four sub-categories of Rishis,
Maharishi (महर्षि)-a rishi who is the epitome and great in his spirituality and realization of existence
Rajarishi (राजऋषि)-A king who is so spiritual that he becomes rishi and quits all the materialistic pleasures
Devarishi (देवऋषि)-A rishi dwelling in Devaloka or deva who is also a rishi
Brahmarishi (ब्रह्मऋषि)-A rishi who has the Supreme Spiritual Truth or Divine awakening of truth, Brahman
Muni (मुनि)-The meaning of muni has been derived from the Sanskrit word "mounam or मौन" which means silence or remain silent, or on a more simple plane, he is the one who can control his thoughts and remain silent
Sadhu (साधु)-A term means "sadho or साधो" to balance or anything good in balance, in Sanskrit we say "anything good", we can say he is one with a selfless approach to life, always think good for others and has no negative feeling for anything, well-wisher of everyone,
Yogi (योगी)-in Vedas 'Yog" means "to meet God", he is the one who is willing to unite with Supreme Brahaman and has devoted his life to God, who has surrendered everything to God, be it food, cloth, emotions, or senses for the sake of God or Godly purpose,
He resonates with Divinity through his penance and love for God,
Guru (गुरु)- in real sense is a soul who is pious, unconditional love and sublime, he is the one who introduces us to Divine and Divinity, to the dharma, so we can walk a journey of peace for self and others, Guru means "without gurur or बिना गुरुर के ", guru should be respect most because he is the one who introduces to world after you are born,
संस्कार क्रिया से शरीर, मन और आत्मा मे समन्वय और चेतना होती है, कृप्या अपने प्रश्न साझा करे, हम सदैव तत्पर रहते है आपके प्रश्नो के उत्तर देने के लिया, प्रश्न पूछने के लिया हमे ईमेल करे sanskar@hindusanskar.org संस्कार और आप, जीवन शैली है अच्छे समाज की, धन्यवाद्