I came across an old W.A.D. :
Date: Sat Jun 5 00:07:29 EDT 1999
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--mahatma
X-Bonus: Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much of life. So aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something. -Henry David Thoreau

mahatma (muh-HAT-muh) noun

1. In India and Tibet, one of a class of persons venerated for great
knowledge and love of humanity.

2. Mahatma. Used as a title of respect for a person renowned for
spirituality and high-mindedness.

[Sanskrit mahatma : maha-, great. See meg-. + atma, life, spirit.]

I have of course heard of Mahatma Gandhi, but I had assumed in my ignorance that it was his first name. I gather it is a title. What was the gentle man's actual name, then?