Mahatma: Difference between revisions

From Theosophy Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
 
(4 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 4: Line 4:


<blockquote>'''Mahâtma'''. Lit., “great soul”. An [[adept]] of the highest order. Exalted beings who, having attained to the mastery over their [[Principle#Individuality_and_personality|lower principles]] are thus living unimpeded by the “man of flesh”, and are in possession of knowledge and power commensurate with the stage they have reached in their spiritual evolution. Called in Pali Rahats and Arhats.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 201.</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>'''Mahâtma'''. Lit., “great soul”. An [[adept]] of the highest order. Exalted beings who, having attained to the mastery over their [[Principle#Individuality_and_personality|lower principles]] are thus living unimpeded by the “man of flesh”, and are in possession of knowledge and power commensurate with the stage they have reached in their spiritual evolution. Called in Pali Rahats and Arhats.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 201.</ref></blockquote>
Theosophical teacher [[Vonda Urban]] said the Mahatmas are '''human beings "who have reached the full maturity of their humanhood."'''<Ref>Vonda Urban responding to an audience question following [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT3MjQ7rFqc Helena P. Blavatsky, Messianic Messenger]. 1991 at Theosophical Society in America.</ref>


The Mahatmas are usually referred to as [[Adepts]] and [[Masters of the Wisdom]] in Theosophical literature.
The Mahatmas are usually referred to as [[Adepts]] and [[Masters of the Wisdom]] in Theosophical literature.
Line 12: Line 14:


==Online resources==
==Online resources==
===Articles===
 
*[http://www.theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=Mah%C4%81tma# Mahātma] at Theosopedia
*[[Masters_of_Wisdom#Online_resources|Resources on Masters, Adepts and Mahatmas]]
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/index.php/17-hpblavatsky/hpb-articles/195-mahatmas-and-chelas# Mahatmas and Chelas] by H. P. Blavatsky
* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/mahatma Mahatma] in Theosophy World
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/index.php/theosophical-mahatmas# Theosophical Mahatmas] by H. P. Blavatsky


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
Line 28: Line 29:
[[it:Mahatma]]
[[it:Mahatma]]
[[ru:Махатма]]
[[ru:Махатма]]
[[es:Mahatma]]

Latest revision as of 21:36, 10 February 2024

Mahatma (devanāgarī: महात्मन् mahātma) is a Sanskrit term meaning "Great Soul". This epithet is commonly applied to saints, spiritual teachers, and even prominent people.

In Theosophical literature the term is used in a specific way, to refer to exalted beings who have attained great power and knowledge:

Mahâtma. Lit., “great soul”. An adept of the highest order. Exalted beings who, having attained to the mastery over their lower principles are thus living unimpeded by the “man of flesh”, and are in possession of knowledge and power commensurate with the stage they have reached in their spiritual evolution. Called in Pali Rahats and Arhats.[1]

Theosophical teacher Vonda Urban said the Mahatmas are human beings "who have reached the full maturity of their humanhood."[2]

The Mahatmas are usually referred to as Adepts and Masters of the Wisdom in Theosophical literature.

See also

Online resources

Notes

  1. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Theosophical Glossary (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 201.
  2. Vonda Urban responding to an audience question following Helena P. Blavatsky, Messianic Messenger. 1991 at Theosophical Society in America.