Hindi:
* गुरु (Guru): This is the most common word, referring to a teacher or spiritual guide. It carries the weight of a profound relationship based on respect and knowledge transfer.
* शिष्य (Shishya): This refers to a student or disciple, and can be used in conjunction with "गुरु" to indicate the mentor-mentee relationship.
* उपदेशक (Upadeshak): This means "instructor" or "adviser," and can be used for someone who provides guidance but might not necessarily be a teacher in the traditional sense.
* मार्गदर्शक (Margdarshak): This literally means "pathfinder" and implies someone who helps navigate a path or provides direction.
Sanskrit:
* गुरु (Guru): This word holds the same meaning as in Hindi.
* आचार्य (Acharya): This refers to a learned teacher or scholar, often with a specific field of expertise.
* उपदेशक (Upadeshak): This word has the same meaning as in Hindi.
* मार्गदर्शन (Margdarshan): This is the Sanskrit equivalent of "मार्गदर्शक," meaning "guidance."
The best word to use will depend on the specific context and the nature of the mentoring relationship.
For example, if you are talking about a spiritual mentor, "गुरु" would be the most appropriate. If you are referring to a professional mentor, "उपदेशक" or "मार्गदर्शक" might be more suitable.
It's important to note that the relationship between a mentor and mentee can be complex and nuanced, and might not always fit neatly into a single word translation.