Puruṣa
पुरुषपुल्लिङ्ग (masculine) · पुर् धातु (pur — to dwell, fill) + उषन् प्रत्यय; or पुरि शेते इति पुरुषः — one who dwells in the city (of the body)
puruṣa
Metaphysics
Pure consciousness, immutable observer
Puruṣa is the pure consciousness that witnesses every experience without being affected. It is immutable, without qualities (nirguṇa), unborn. In Advaita Vedānta, it is essentially synonymous with ātman. The distinction between puruṣa (consciousness) and prakṛti (matter) is fundamental: realizing that we are the consciousness that illuminates, not the illuminated content, is the basis of liberation.
Using this in academic work? Get formal citation
Vishva Vidya (2026). Puruṣa (पुरुष). Vishva Vidya — Vedanta. https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/purusha
Vishva Vidya. "Puruṣa (पुरुष)." Vishva Vidya — Vedanta, January 1, 2026, https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/purusha.
Vishva Vidya. "Puruṣa (पुरुष)." Vishva Vidya — Vedanta, January 1, 2026. https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/purusha.
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