Rahul is a popular male name in India and has a variety of meanings. The earliest meaning found in the Upanishads is "conqueror of all miseries." Later use of the word is attributed to the Buddha, who named his son ''Rahula'' as he felt that family ties could be an obstacle in the path to renunciation and nirvana. Buddha uttered Rahul when he first saw his son and gave a new meaning "relationship" and "bondage" to this name. Rahul means ''Moon, Able/efficient'' in Sanskrit and Pali. Rahul also means "Traveler" in Arabic.
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