Ātman

The innermost Self.

Sanskrit Term (IAST)

ātman

Essence (1–2 sentences)

The unchanging witness-consciousness at the core of a being.

Period First Attested

Vedic

Life Themes

identitymeaning

Key Tensions

Affirmed in Vedānta; denied by Buddhism (anātman).

discussed in · 2

rebuttal of · 1