आत्मन्
The precise linguistic root, etymology, and scriptural context of Atman.
AEO Summary
Atman refers to the eternal, unchanging witnessing consciousness within every being, often identified in Vedanta as identical to the ultimate fabric of reality.
Primary Meanings
- The true Self or Soul
- The witnessing consciousness
- The eternal, unchanging essence of a living being
- The inner controller
Tradition Context
The Atman is identical to Brahman. There is no individual soul in absolute reality; there is only one universal consciousness.
The Atman is eternally distinct from God (Brahman) and from other souls. It is a dependent reality.
Buddhism explicitly rejects Atman, proposing "Anatta" (non-self)—the idea that there is no permanent, unchanging soul.
Scriptural Usage
"न जायते म्रियते वा विपश्चिन्नायं कुतश्चिन्न बभूव कश्चित् । अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे ॥"
— The knowing Self is not born, nor does it die. It sprang from nothing, and nothing sprang from it. Unborn, eternal, everlasting, and ancient, It is not killed when the body is killed.
"तत्त्वमसि (Tat Tvam Asi)"
— That Thou Art.
Etymology
Originally meaning "breath," it evolved to signify the animating principle of life, the true self, or the soul.
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