Mataji

Mataji is a respectful honorific term used in Indian languages, combining mata (mother) with ji, an honorific suffix. It is employed to address or refer to a senior woman who is regarded as a maternal or protective figure, including mothers, elder women, and respected teachers. In everyday use, people may call their own mothers Mataji, and followers of various Indian religious and spiritual traditions often use it for female teachers or saints. The term carries connotations of warmth, reverence, and care, and its exact nuance can vary by region and context.

In religious and spiritual contexts, Mataji is commonly applied to female saints, gurus, or spiritual leaders who are perceived as maternal and nurturing figures. Notable individuals frequently referred to as Mataji include Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (also known as Amma), a Hindu spiritual leader and humanitarian often addressed as Mataji by devotees; and Mata Anandamayi (Anandamayi Ma), a revered 20th-century Indian saint regarded by followers as a spiritual mother.

The use of Mataji reflects broader Indian linguistic and cultural practices that honor elders and spiritual guides. While it is widely used, the term’s application is not fixed to a single person and can vary across communities and contexts, from everyday family address to reverent titles for respected teachers.