What is the Concept of Atman? | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

What is the Atman?

The term Atman originates from Sanskrit and translates to ‘inner self’ or ‘real self.’ It represents the eternal essence or soul within every living being.

• Universal Presence: Every living entity in the universe possesses an Atman, the spiritual core that defines their true identity.
• Eternal Nature: Hindus hold that the Atman is eternal, composed of the divine spirit known as Brahman, which is the ultimate reality.
• Relationship with Brahman:
  • Some Hindus believe the Atman is identical to Brahman, as Brahman is omnipotent and omnipresent, capable of existing everywhere simultaneously.
  • Others believe the Atman is a fragment of Brahman, arguing that if it were identical, Brahman’s supreme nature would be compromised.
• Scriptural Insight: The Katha Upanishad (2.18) describes the Atman as the “spirit of vision,” which is never born and never dies. It exists eternally, beyond the constraints of time, and remains unaffected by the death of the physical body.
• Invisible Essence: The Atman cannot be seen or touched, yet it resides within every individual, serving as their spiritual essence.
• Analogy of Salt and Water: In the Chandogya Upanishad (6.12), a father illustrates the concept of Atman to his son, Svetaketu, using an analogy. He asks Svetaketu to place a lump of salt in water overnight. By morning, the salt dissolves, becoming invisible yet present, as the water tastes salty throughout. Similarly, the Atman, though invisible, is an all-pervading essence, akin to Brahman, the universal spirit.
• Connection to Moksha: Hindus believe that a portion of Brahman exists within each person’s Atman. When an individual achieves Moksha (liberation), their Atman unites with Brahman, merging with the universal spirit.