A sÃÂdhaka or sÃÂdhak or sÃÂdhaj (), in Indian religions and traditions, such as Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Yoga, is someone who follows a particular sÃÂdhanÃÂ, or a way of life designed to realize the goal of one's ultimate ideal, whether it is merging with one's eternal source, brahman, or realization of one's personal deity. The word is related to the Sanskrit sÃÂdhu, which is derived from the verb root sÃÂdh-, 'to accomplish'. As long as one has yet to reach the goal, they are a sÃÂdhaka or sÃÂdhak, while one who has reached the goal is called a siddha. In modern usage, sadhaka is often applied as a generic term for any religious practitioner. In medieval India, it was more narrowly used as a technical term for one who had gone through a specific initiation.
Hindu, Jain, Tantric, Yogic and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions use the term sadhaka or sÃÂdhak for spiritual initiates and/or aspirants.