As a Hindi name
गोपायक · adj
रक्षक । रखवाला — Śabdasāgara
As a Sanskrit word
Meaning
A preserver, defender, one who guards.
Verified derivationMultiple readings (16)Why this matches what you typed
M3 · meaning shifts "gopāyaka" is derived from "gopāya" with the ka/kan suffix — a related word whose meaning shifts, so both meanings are shown.
1. gopāya Nom. P. (fr. go-pā; cf. √ gup) ˚yati (cf. Pāṇ. iii, 1, 28 and 31; aor. agopāyīt, Vop. viii, 65), to represent a cowherd, act like a herdsman, BhP. x, 30, 17; to guard, protect, preserve, RV. vi, 74, 4 & x, 154, 4; VS.; AV. &c.; to hide, conceal, Amar. (Pass. gopāyyate), Rājat. v, 222; Dhūrtas. i, 30 : Caus. gopāyayati, to preserve, protect, MBh. iii, 10835 (cf. abhi-, pari-.)
2. gopāya mfn. ifc. preserving, Āp. i, 4, 24.
gopāyaka a. A preserver, defender, one who guards.
gopāyaka mfn. (-kaḥ-kī-kaṃ) A preserver, a cherisher, one who guards or protects. E. gupa to preserve, ṇvul aff.
Gender counterpart
The kosha attests this stem in the feminine, the masculine, and the neuter — the same name serves without alteration.
Dictionary citations
gopāyaka a. A preserver, defender, one who guards.
gopāyaka mfn. (-kaḥ-kī-kaṃ) A preserver, a cherisher, one who guards or protects. E. gupa to preserve, ṇvul aff.
1. gopāya Nom. P. (fr. go-pā; cf. √ gup) ˚yati (cf. Pāṇ. iii, 1, 28 and 31; aor. agopāyīt, Vop. viii, 65), to represent a cowherd, act like a herdsman, BhP. x, 30, 17; to guard, protect, preserve, RV. vi, 74, 4 & x, 154, 4; VS.; AV. &c.; to hide, conceal, Amar. (Pass. gopāyyate), Rājat. v, 222; Dhūrtas. i, 30 : Caus. gopāyayati, to preserve, protect, MBh. iii, 10835 (cf. abhi-, pari-.)
2. gopāya mfn. ifc. preserving, Āp. i, 4, 24.
Alternative readings
More than one analysis survives full verification. That ambiguity is real, so we show every reading rather than pick one silently.
Caveats
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