Is God the right translation for Bhagwan? The two words actually carry very different meanings. “God” comes from the Proto-Germanic root gudan, meaning “the one who is invoked.” It’s about calling upon a higher power in times of need. But Bhagavān is deeper. In Sanskrit, it means “one who possesses (vān) bhaga” — divine fortune, spiritual wealth, and bliss. As the Vishnu Purana explains: ऐश्वर्यस्य समग्रस्य धर्मस्य यशसः श्रियः। ज्ञानवैराग्ययोश्चैव षण्णां भग इतीरणा॥ Bhaga is the complete presence