The meaning of Prabhuji

The word prabhu in Sanskrit means “a master , lord or a king”  and it is applied in the scriptures to God and to the Guru.
Like many words in the Sanskrit language, the word is actually made of some components, and understanding its etymology, will lead us to discover its various meanings. The word prabhu is a combination of the root bhu which means “to become, to exist, to be, to live”, with the prefix pra, which can mean “forth, or forward” and which then, when attached to bhu applies- one who causes to exist, who gives life, from whom life emanates, that which sustains or maintains.
The prefix pra can also the meaning of very much, or supremacy, and then when attached to the root bhu will create the meanings “to be the master, to rule over”.
The suffix jī is an honorific in Hindi and other Indian languages. It is added after the names of Gods and esteemed personalities to show respect and reverence.

Throughout the Vedic scriptures the Divine on its various names and manifestations is referred as prabhu, the master of creation. For example, the Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad chapter 3 refers to Rudra, the Puruṣa, or the original being, as prabhu:
Verse 12:
Several times inthe Bhagavad-gītā Lord Kṛṣṇa Refers to himself as the prabhu or the master:

And he also refered as such by his loving disciple Arjuna:

As manifestations of the Divine, great ṛṣis or “seers” and gurus are also called as prabhus. For example, in the Bhāgavata Purāṇa (1.5.4) the sage Nārada is addressing the ṛṣi Vyasadeva as prabhu:

In the same scripture, (1.19.38), Mahārāja Parīkṣit, when he approaches the sage Śukadeva, asking him for spiritual guidance, in fact, accepting him as his guru, or spiritual master, addresses him as prabhu:

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