mahatma:
(plural: ‘mahatmas‘; for the right pronunciation of this word, please click here)
a religious mahatma — Mahatma Prabhu of Hare Ram, Hare Krishna
a title given to a wise and holy man in India;
any religious leader in Hinduism;
a Hindu sage; a saint,
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karmchand Gandhi of India, the only non-politician with a strong and deep involvement in Indian politics, is often called the ‘Mahatma’ & the ‘Father of the Nation’.
It is believed that anybody, including an illiterate and low caste fellow, can be a mahatma, a saint, if he/she accepts the divine guidance and follows a pious way of life.
The Hindu epics in India are full of mahatmas who showed spiritual guidance to the people of ancient India.
In the present political scenario in India, and else where in the word, some political parties are bringing some criminals with strong financial backing to the forefront as ‘mahatmas’ by praising their “good” deeds in order to attract voters of certain communities!
