Who Is A Mahatma - Prabhupada 0213

661123 - Lecture BG 09.11-14 - New York

Mahātmā means one who has enlarged his heart. "Oh, everything belongs to God, and I also belong to God." He's mahātmā. Mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha: "My dear Arjuna, these mahātmās, they are not under the control of this material nature." One who can think that ""Everything belongs to God, and I also belong to God. Therefore the supreme proprietor is God. Everything should be engaged in His service . . ." this is the qualification of mahātmā, broader. "God is great," and his heart is also has become great for serving the great. He's mahātmā.

Mahātmā, not a stamp, a political leader, mahātmā. Don't misunderstand. "I stamp you mahātmā by votes, and you become God. You become mahātmā," these are not accepted in Bhagavad-gītā. Mahātmā's description is there, that mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ: "He has taken the shelter of the superior, spiritual energy."