Atman refers to the soul, regarded as indestructible and immutable. The Advaita (non-dual) philosophy, propounded by the great philosopher Adi Shankara, asserts that the soul is the ultimate reality, while everything else is mithya (illusion). According to this doctrine, moksha (salvation) is achieved when one dispels illusion through self-realization. The theory emphasizes that karma (actions) drives the cycle of life and rebirth. Attachments give rise to likes and dislikes, and to attain moksha, one must liberate oneself from these attachments.
In contrast, the Dvaita philosophy posits that Atman is distinct from the universal spirit, Brahman – The Supreme Truth. The soul perpetually strives to reunite with the universal spirit from which it originated. Salvation is attained when this union occurs.
The Katha Upanishad, linked with the “Black” Yajur Veda, features a dialogue between the young seeker Nachiketa – The Boy Who Obtained the Secrets of Death and Yama, the god of death. Nachiketa asks Yama to elucidate the nature of Atman. Yama explains, “The soul has no beginning or end. It is infinite, beyond cause and effect, and free from the cycles of life and death. It is singular and flawless. The body is a temporary vessel for the soul, which remains indestructible even after the body’s demise.”
Sources & further reading
These themes are explored in greater depth across the following authoritative resources:
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Hindu Philosophy
- Britannica, Moksha
- Britannica, Brahman
- Internet Sacred Text Archive, Upanishads
- Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Indian Philosophy (2 vols., Oxford University Press, 1923)
External resources for further reading. Apam Napat is not affiliated with these publishers; citation does not imply endorsement.
Based on the classical texts of Hindu mythology, see our sources.