Vishva Vidya — Vedanta Tradicional
← Back to Glossary

Ātman

आत्मन्

पुल्लिङ्ग (masculine) · अत् धातु (at — to move continuously) + मनिन् प्रत्यय

ātman

Fundamental Concepts

The essential self — individual consciousness identical to Brahman

Ātman is the real self of every being — not the ego, not the mind, not the body, but the pure consciousness that witnesses everything. The great revelation of Vedānta is 'tat tvam asi' (you are that): the individual ātman is, in essence, Brahman. Ignorance (avidyā) makes them appear different. Self-knowledge (ātma-jñāna) dissolves this apparent separation.

Using this in academic work? Get formal citation
APA

Vishva Vidya (2026). Ātman (आत्मन्). Vishva Vidya — Vedanta. https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/atman

MLA

Vishva Vidya. "Ātman (आत्मन्)." Vishva Vidya — Vedanta, January 1, 2026, https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/atman.

Chicago

Vishva Vidya. "Ātman (आत्मन्)." Vishva Vidya — Vedanta, January 1, 2026. https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/atman.

Want to study Vedānta in depth?

Learn about our study programs →