In Vedanta philosophy, Atman refers to the true self or soul, which is the essence of an individual beyond physical form, mind, and ego. Atman represents the eternal, unchanging core of a person, and its nature and relationship to Brahman (the ultimate reality) is a central topic in Vedantic thought. However, different schools of Vedanta offer varying interpretations of the relationship between Atman and Brahman.
Atman in Advaita Vedanta (Non-dualism)
In Advaita Vedanta: The Unity of Atman and Brahman in Vedanta Philosophy, founded by Shankaracharya, the central belief is that Atman is identical to Brahman. This school of thought teaches that the perception of individuality and separateness is an illusion (maya) created by ignorance (avidya).
- Atman is Brahman: According to Advaita, the true self (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) are one and the same. The idea that individuals are separate entities is a misperception, and liberation (moksha) is achieved when this ignorance is overcome, and one realizes their unity with Brahman.
- Maya and Ignorance: In everyday life, individuals experience duality—separation between the self and the world. However, Advaita Vedanta teaches that this duality is illusory. Maya, the cosmic illusion, conceals the true oneness of existence, making individuals believe they are separate from the divine Brahman. Through self-realization and wisdom, one can transcend this illusion and recognize their true identity as Brahman.
For instance, the famous Upanishadic phrase “Tat Tvam Asi” (“That Thou Art”) emphasizes this oneness by suggesting that the individual self is not distinct from the ultimate reality, Brahman.
Atman in Dvaita Vedanta (Dualism)
In contrast, Dvaita Vedanta: The Duality of Atman and Brahman in Vedanta Philosophy, established by Madhva, advocates dualism, positing that Atman (the individual soul) and Brahman (God) are fundamentally distinct. This dualistic view holds that:
- Atman and Brahman are separate: The soul is not identical to Brahman but is an eternally distinct entity. In Dvaita Vedanta, the individual soul remains dependent on Brahman for its existence and liberation, but it never merges with Brahman.
- Relationship of Servitude: In Dvaita, the soul is seen as eternally subservient to Brahman, which is often understood as a personal God (usually identified as Vishnu). The goal of life in this school is not to realize oneness with Brahman but to achieve moksha through devotion (bhakti) and service to Brahman.
- Moksha in Dvaita: Liberation is attained through divine grace and eternal service to God. Even in moksha, the soul remains distinct from Brahman but enjoys the bliss of eternal proximity to the divine.
Atman in Other Vedantic Schools
Other schools of Vedanta, such as Vishishtadvaita Vedanta: Qualified Non-dualism in Vedanta Philosophy, offer a middle ground between Advaita and Dvaita in understanding The True Self in Vedanta Philosophy. In Ramanuja’s Vishishtadvaita, for example:
· Atman as a Mode of Brahman: In Vishishtadvaita, the individual soul (Atman) is not wholly separate from Brahman, nor is it fully identical to it as in Advaita. Instead, the Atman is seen as an essential part or mode of Brahman, akin to how a spark is related to fire. Though individual souls possess a distinct identity, their existence is inseparable from Brahman, and they depend on Brahman for their very being.
· Qualified Unity: The individual soul retains its distinctiveness, even in the state of liberation (moksha), yet is always within the overarching unity of Brahman. Liberation is thus a realization of the soul’s eternal relationship with Brahman rather than a dissolution into pure oneness.
· Organic Wholeness: Ramanuja often compares the relationship between Atman and Brahman to that of body and soul. Just as the body is a mode of the soul, dependent on it for life and purpose, so too is the Atman an inseparable part of Brahman’s cosmic whole, while maintaining its individuality.
Conclusion: Atman and the Path to Self-Realization
The Concept of Atman in Vedanta Philosophy offers profound insights into the nature of the self and its relationship to the ultimate reality, Brahman. In Advaita Vedanta, self-realization involves recognizing that the individual soul and Brahman are one and the same, transcending the illusion of separateness. In contrast, Dvaita Vedanta maintains a clear distinction between the soul and Brahman, emphasizing devotion and eternal servitude to God. These different interpretations provide various spiritual paths within Vedanta, offering seekers diverse approaches to understanding the self, the divine, and the nature of existence itself.
