Concept of Atman (Self) in Indian Philosophy: A Review

Authors: Chauhan Kr MS and Kumar BMN

DOI: 10.23880/jonam-16000344

Volume 6, Issue 2

Abstract

For a long time, the human being has been hedonistic and optimistic nature but he had been surrounded by several fears, grieves, and challenges over the thousand thousands of years. His entire effort had been continuing to get the pleasure to be free from all kinds of sorrows. Over passed time, a burning reaction appeared against the Vedic regime and it was considered that the cause of whole human grieves is connected with the internal world not external. Under this consideration, it is declared that the entire fear and grieves of human lives is due to the acquired Karma of previous lives. And therefore these all phenomena gave birth to a “Mystical scripture” which is the basis of four pillars- the doctrine of ‘self’, the doctrine of rebirth, the doctrine of karma, and the doctrine of bondage and salvation, and it is also the base of Indian philosophy and Ayurveda. Actually, the term ‘Atma’ has derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Atman’ and that referred meaning is ‘Antarika’ (Internal). The first time systematic definition and doctrine of ‘self’ in the oldest Upanishads strongly announced that pure-self (Atman) and individualSelf (Jivatman) both are one, primitive, eternal, immortal, omnipotent, and permanent. And Ishwara Krishna was also same announced in Bhagavad Gita. The concept of Atman's “self” is considered a Prana (Breath) in Indian philosophy including Ayurveda. Though seeing the significance of Atman's “self”, the Indian philosophy and Ayurveda are called Adhyatmavadi (Spiritualistic).

Keywords: Prana; Upanishads; Adhyatmavadi; Karma; Prarabhda; Jivatma

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