Mahatma

Mahatma (English pronunciation: , Sanskrit: महात्मा, romanized: mahātmā, IPA: [mɐ.ɦɑːt.mɑː], from Sanskrit महा (mahā) 'great') is an honorific used in India. The term is commonly used for Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who is often referred to simply as "Mahatma Gandhi" (lit. 'Venerable Gandhi'). Albeit less frequently, this epithet has also been used with regard to such people as Basava (1131–1167), Swami Shraddhanand (1856–1926), Lalon Shah (1772–1890), Ayyankali (1863–1941), and Jyotirao Phule (1827–1890). The term mahātmā has also been historically used for a class of religious scholars in Jainism; for the selected religious leaders in Theosophy; and for local religious teachers in the Divine Light Mission church.