Jagadguru

, literally meaning " of the universe", is a title used in. Traditionally, it has been bestowed upon or used for belonging to the  school (among the six traditional schools of thought in Hinduism) who have written Sanskrit commentaries on the  (literally, 'the three sources') – the  (the original scripture of ), the  (part of the ) and the principal. Historically, jagadgurus have established a lineage and an institution to spread dharma which has been based in Varanasi, the centre of Sanskrit study.

Origin and history of the term
is of Sanskrit origin where jagat means 'the entire world' and guru means 'spiritual master' (literally, 'dispeller of darkness'). In the classics and scriptures, the word has been used for several Devas. In the, Arjuna addresses as the 'Supreme Master of the entire world'. Adi Shankaracharya uses the title for  in his. The Sanskrit poet uses the word  for  in his great poem  titled. In the, the poet-saint uses the same word for. uses it for in his song. uses it for in his composition.

Traditional Jagadgurus
In Hinduism, the three great acharyas – Adi Shankara, Madhvacharya and Ramanuja are combinedly known as "Acharyatraya" or "Triacharya". These three acharyas are considered to be the pillars of Vedantic tradition of spiritual India.

Acharyatraya

 * (also known as "" or, founder of ' school of '.
 * (c. 1017 – c.  1137), founder of ' school of '.
 * (c. 1239 – c.  1319) (also known as "" or "", founder of the ' (Tattvavada) school of '.

Other acharya's

 * , founder of ' school of '.
 * Mahaprabhu (c. 1479 – c.  1531), founder of ' school of '
 * (c. 1486 – c.  1534), founder of ' school of '.

Jagadguru as title
Traditionally the title Jagadguru is used by all the peetadhipathis of Mathas founded by traditional Jagadgurus such as Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, Nimbarkacharya, and Vallabhacharya.

Jagadguru is also honoured as the title by Kashi Vidvat Parishat in Varanasi for the knowledge and value of particular guru. The title "Jagadguru Ramanandacharya" is used in the lineage of Ramananda, founder of Ramanandi Sampradaya.
 * Kripalu Maharaj (c. 1922 – c. 2013), founder of . He was honoured with the title Jagadguru by Kashi Vidvat Parisat on 14 January 1957.
 * Traditionally, the title "Jagadguru" is used by the peetadhipathis of various mathas founded by renowned spiritual leaders such as Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, Nimbarkacharya, and Vallabhacharya.
 * Rambhadracharya, the founder of Tulsi Peeth within the Ramanandi Sampradaya, was conferred the title "Jagadguru Ramanandacharya" by Kashi Vidvat Parishat on 24 June 1988.