Uttama

The highest, best, supreme, uppermost — from the root meaning “to rise above.” In spiritual contexts, it describes the most refined state, practice, or practitioner.

The [[Bhagavad Gītā]] (7.18) calls the jñānī (the knower) uttama among devotees — one who has transcended mere faith and stands in direct knowledge. The uttama-puruṣa is the supreme person, the divine ground of all being.

In yoga pedagogy, it distinguishes the highest teaching (uttama-śāstra) from preliminary or intermediate methods. It always points toward what is most real, most complete, most true.