Antaḥkaraṇa
अन्तःकरणनपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter) · अन्तर् (antar — inner) + करण (karaṇa — instrument)
antaḥkaraṇa
Mind and Psychology
The inner instrument — mind, intellect, ego, and memory
Antaḥkaraṇa is the 'inner instrument' — the psychic apparatus composed of four functions: manas (deliberative mind), buddhi (determinative intellect), ahaṃkāra (sense of 'I'), and citta (memory/subconscious). In Vedānta, antaḥkaraṇa is a subtle product of māyā, not the real being. The ātman illuminates the antaḥkaraṇa as the sun illuminates a mirror — the modifications (vṛttis) of the antaḥkaraṇa reflect consciousness, creating experience.
Using this in academic work? Get formal citation
Vishva Vidya (2026). Antaḥkaraṇa (अन्तःकरण). Vishva Vidya — Vedanta. https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/antahkarana
Vishva Vidya. "Antaḥkaraṇa (अन्तःकरण)." Vishva Vidya — Vedanta, January 1, 2026, https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/antahkarana.
Vishva Vidya. "Antaḥkaraṇa (अन्तःकरण)." Vishva Vidya — Vedanta, January 1, 2026. https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/antahkarana.
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