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What is the meaning of the word 'Swami'?

[Ms. Geetha Lahari asked: Padanamaskaram Swami, Devotees who take Ayyappa Deeksha are addressed as Swami during the period of deeksha. Please explain the meaning of the word 'Swami'? Who is eligible to be addressed as Swami? Thank you Swami. At your divine lotus feet -Geetha Lahari.]

Swami replied:- The devotees are clearly called as Ayyappa Swamis. In the Veda, there is a statement which is that this world is God (Sarvaṃ Khalvidaṃ Brahma). This sentence does not mean that the world is God but it means that this world is under the control of God. In Sanskrit Grammar, this rule exists, which is called as Tadadhiina Prathamaa. Hence, these devotees are called as Ayyappa Swamis and this means that these devotees are under the control of Swami Ayyappa.

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