Definition of a Mahatma

(written on February 8, 2020)

(References: SP Lecture on SB 1.5.11)

Srila Prabhupada’s definition for mahatma is explained in the following part of the lecture, “Padma-locana means very beautiful, lotus-eyed. But one mother has got a child who is born blind, out of her love she has given the name Padma-locana, "lotus-eyed." You see? So that she can give because she loves the child. Even he is blind, that's her whim. "My boy, my child, is padma-locana." Similarly, this "mahātmā," this title you can give to any person you like, but it has a meaning, mahātmā. So that meaning, mahātmā, is explained in the Bhagavad-gītā. Mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ [Bg. 9.13]. Mahātmā means who is not under the material energy, but he is under the spiritual energy. And what is the symptom that one is under the spiritual energy? That he has no other business except executing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That's all. That is the symptom.” A mahatma is one who is liberated, one who is not under the material energy, and one who has love of Godhead.

This verse that Srila Prabhupada talks about is substantial:

mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ bhajanty ananya-manaso jñātvā bhūtādim avyayam

O son of Pṛthā, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible.

The phrase maha-atmanah refers to the great souls. There are three qualities of a mahatma, as explained from this verse:

• Mahatmas are under the protection of the divine nature

• They are fully engaged in devotional service of Lord Krishna

• They know that Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead