Etymology

"Mātā" is the Hindi word for "mother" and the "-jī" (जी) suffix is an honorific suffix used to indicate respect.

Use

"Mataji" is a respectful term used to address an older woman in Indian culture, particularly if she is unknown to the speaker. Another term that is used is "auntie".

"Mataji" is also used by ISKCON devotees as a title. Female devotees are referred to as "(name) Mataji", for example, "Rukmini Mataji". Female devotees who have not been initiated append it to their given name. The term is also used as a form of address, particularly to a female devotee whom the speaker does not know. Men are encouraged to call all devotee women "Mataji" because according to Vedic culture, all women who are not one's wife are to be treated as one's mother.

External links

• Prabhu ji and Mataji: a discussion on the use of these terms