Mahatman, Mahātman, Maha-atman: 10 definitions
Introduction
Introduction:
Mahatman means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationMahātman (महात्मन्) is an epithet of Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.15. Accordingly as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] On arrival there, after paying respects to the lord [Śiva] with great excitement we lauded Him with various hymns with palms joined in reverence. The Devas said: [...] Obeisance to Thee, O lord, from whom the mobile and the immobile beings have originated. Obeisance to the great Puruṣa, Maheśa, the supreme Īśa and the great Ātman [viz., Mahātman]”.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
India history and geogprahy
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryMahātman.—(CII 1), a person of high rank; a rich man; explained in some cases as ‘a magistrate’ (cf. Select Inscriptions, p. 248, note 6). Note: mahātman is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryMahātman (महात्मन्).—a.
1) high-souled, high-minded, magnanimous, noble; अयं दुरात्मा अथवा महात्मा कौटिल्यः (ayaṃ durātmā athavā mahātmā kauṭilyaḥ) Mu.7; द्विषन्ति मन्दाश्चरितं महात्मनाम् (dviṣanti mandāścaritaṃ mahātmanām) Ku.5.75; U.1.49; प्रकृतिसिद्धमिदं हि महात्मनाम् (prakṛtisiddhamidaṃ hi mahātmanām) Bh.1.63.
2) illustrious, distinguished, exalted, eminent; किमाचाराः किमाहाराः क्व च वासो महात्मनाम् (kimācārāḥ kimāhārāḥ kva ca vāso mahātmanām) Mb.3. 1.4.
3) mighty (mahābala); अथायमस्यां कृतवान् महात्मा लङ्केश्वरः कष्टमनार्यकर्म (athāyamasyāṃ kṛtavān mahātmā laṅkeśvaraḥ kaṣṭamanāryakarma) Rām.5.9.74. (-m.)
1) the Supreme Spirit; युगपत्तु प्रलीयन्ते यदा तस्मिन् महात्मनि (yugapattu pralīyante yadā tasmin mahātmani) Ms.1.54.
2) the great principle, i. e. intellect of the Sāṅkhyas. (mahātmavat means the same as mahātman).
Mahātman is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and ātman (आत्मन्).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahātman (महात्मन्).—mfn. (-tmā-tmā-tma) Liberal, lofty-minded, magnanimous. E. mahā great, ātman self, soul.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahātman (महात्मन्).—adj. magnanimous, [Pañcatantra] ii. [distich] 153.
Mahātman is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and ātman (आत्मन्).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahātman (महात्मन्).—1. [masculine] the supreme spirit, the intellect (ph.).
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Mahātman (महात्मन्).—2. [adjective] large-minded, magnanimous, generous, noble, eminent.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Mahātman (महात्मन्):—[from mahā > mah] mfn. (hāt) ‘high-souled’, magnanimous, having a gr° or noble nature, high-minded, noble, [Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa] etc.
2) [=mahā-tman] [from mahātman > mahā > mah] highly gifted, exceedingly wise, [Pañcatantra]
3) [v.s. ...] eminent, mighty, powerful, distinguished, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa; Pañcatantra; Suśruta]
4) [v.s. ...] m. the Supreme Spirit, gr° soul of the universe, [Maitrī-upaniṣad; Manu-smṛti]
5) [v.s. ...] the gr° principle id est. Intellect, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
6) [v.s. ...] ([scilicet] gaṇa), Name of a class of deceased ancestors, [Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa]
7) [v.s. ...] of a son of Dhī-mat, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Atman, Maha, Tman.
Starts with: Mahatmaprabha.
Ends with: Amahatman, Sumahatman.
Full-text: Mahatmika, Mahatmya, Sumahatman, Mahatmavat, Mahashaya, Mahodaya, Pitri, Vyath, Paribhu, Atman.
Relevant text
Search found 12 books and stories containing Mahatman, Maha-atman, Mahā-ātman, Maha-tman, Mahā-tman, Mahātman; (plurals include: Mahatmans, atmans, ātmans, tmans, Mahātmans). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Shrimad Bhagavad-gita (by Narayana Gosvami)
Verse 11.20 < [Chapter 11 - Viśvarūpa-darśana-yoga (beholding the Lord’s Universal Form)]
Verse 11.37 < [Chapter 11 - Viśvarūpa-darśana-yoga (beholding the Lord’s Universal Form)]
Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 3.2.27 < [Part 2 - Affection and Service (dāsya-rasa)]
Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po) (by George N. Roerich)
Chapter 3 - Abhidharma lineages < [Book 6 - The Origin of the Mādhyamika (middle way)]
Chapter 1 - Chronology of the later spread of the teaching < [Book 2 - Later spread of the Doctrine]
Chapter 2 - The spread of explanations of Yoginī Tantras < [Book 4 - New Traditions of Secret Mantra]
The Markandeya Purana (by Frederick Eden Pargiter)
Taittiriya Upanishad (by A. Mahadeva Sastri)
Chapter VII - Brahman as External Objects < [B - Brahmavidyā Explained]
Chapter XIV - Vijñānamaya-kośa < [A - Brahmavidyā expounded]
Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4 (by Vihari-Lala Mitra)
Chapter I - Causes of bondage to it < [Book III - Utpatti khanda (utpatti khanda)]