Significance of Ahamkara
Synonyms: Ego, Self, Identity, Consciousness, Pride, Arrogance
In Dutch: Ahamkara; In German: Ahamkara; In Finnish: Ahamkara; In Spanish: Ahamkara; In Swedish: Ahamkara; In Malay: Ahamkara; In French: Ahamkara; In Portugese: Ahamkara; In Italian: Ahamkara; In Polish: Ahamkara
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Ahamkara'
Ahamkara in Buddhism represents the 'I-making' process that creates ego, resulting in attachment and suffering. Understanding this concept helps diminish jealousy and fosters sympathetic joy, ultimately aiding in spiritual growth and emotional well-being.
Hindu concept of 'Ahamkara'
Ahamkara in Hinduism signifies the ego or sense of 'I', which fosters individuality, attachment, and selfish actions, binding individuals to material existence and obstructing spiritual enlightenment, ultimately hindering the realization of one's true self or Brahman.
From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha
(1) It is engendered through Samkalpa, and by virtue of this, different names are superimposed upon the all-full Jiva.[2] (2) The ego or sense of 'I' that can create a false sense of identity and separation.[3] (3) The ego or sense of 'I' that distinguishes oneself from others and causes attachment.[4] (4) The ego or sense of 'I-ness' that ties individuals to their desires and worldly attachments.[5] (5) The ego or the sense of 'I' which creates delusion and leads to attachment and suffering.[6]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The concept of egoism or the sense of 'I' that leads to attachment and separation from the ultimate truth.[7] (2) The ego or sense of self, which causes attachment and leads beings to act out of selfishness and desire.[8] (3) Ego or the sense of self, which influences actions often in a detrimental way, especially when mixed with the Rajo Guna.[9] (4) The principle of ego or the sense of 'I', which arises from Mahattattva and leads to the perception of individuality.[10] (5) Ego or the sense of individuality that arises from Mahattattva and influences the nature of created beings.[11]
From: Garuda Purana
(1) Egoism, a principle in the progression of cosmic evolution as outlined in the text.[12] (2) Egoism which Vishnu is shorn of, indicating his transcendent nature.[13]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) Egotism that represents the sense of self-identity vital for differentiating objects and experiences.[14]
From: Harivamsha Purana
(1) The consciousness of ego that arises from ignorance, linked to the individual self and the notions of identity.[15]
From: Markandeya Purana
(1) The principle of Individuality that evolves, modifies, and energizes; it is characterized into three parts: Evolving, Modifying, and Energizing.[16]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The attribute of egoism developed after the emergence of the self-existent Brahma.[17]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) Ego in all creatures, part of Manyu’s representation that causes annihilation.[18]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) Ahankara, or consciousness, is another name for Aniruddha and is endued with every kind of energy, from which the five Mahabhutas (elements) spring forth.[19]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) Ahankara is one of the four kinds of Antahkarana, or the internal organ, and it is associated with egoism, with its seat being the heart.[20] (2) This is absorbed into mahat in regular order, representing a stage in the process of involution, and is the cause of akash.[21] (3) The ego, which connects to the mundane existence, and the source of the arising of Atma in this mundane existence through its mere connection with ahankara.[22] (4) The sense of ego or individuality, which is associated with impure Vasanas and contributes to bondage and suffering.[23] (5) The sense of 'I-am-ness', associated with attachment and identity.[24]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) Another stage in the sequence of effects that follows the Unevolved and precedes further manifestations.[25] (2) The sense of individuality or ego that arises as a result of awareness; it separates the self from the universal consciousness of Brahman.[26] (3) An element of an individual’s experience, described as non-intelligent and a product of Prakriti, which does not possess the quality of being a knower.[27] (4) The principle of egoity or false identification with the body and external objects, described as an effect of the Unevolved that can lead to ignorance.[28] (5) The principle of individuality or ego within the Sankhya framework, which can exist in three modifications.[29]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) Ahankara refers to the 'I' or ego principle from which the senses evolve but is not the pure form.[30] (2) The principle of individual ego or self-identity that is proposed as a result of the jiva's transformation.[31] (3) A concept in Indian philosophy referring to the ego or sense of self which is involved in the formation of the senses, but not in isolation.[32] (4) The false sense of self or ego that arises from misidentifying the jiva with the world of names and forms.[33]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The concept of Ego or the sense of individuality in Sankhya philosophy, from which other elements may be produced.[34]
From: Mundaka Upanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) The aspect of the Jiva that represents self-consciousness, part of its triadic structure with Buddhi and Manas.[35]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) Also known as Aniruddha in the text, it is the offspring instrument produced from the internal organ according to Bhagavata doctrine.[36]
From: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
(1) This is a result of the combination of Purusha and Prakriti to create intelligence known as Mahat.[37] (2) Ahamkara is a part of the evolution of the body, where it clearly explains about the role of Manas and its importance, according to Ayurveda.[38] (3) These are produced later from Mahat Buddhi.[39] (4) This refers to ego, which is one of the elements of the Linga Sharira, according to the provided information.[40] (5) This is egoism, and this entity is the main cause of Krodha, or anger, and the text mentions it as a symptom of Hypertension.[41]
From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)
(1) The ego or sense of self that arises from identification with the mind and body.[42] (2) The ego that arises as part of the inner mechanisms responsible for knowledge and self-awareness.[43]
From: Sushruta Samhita, volume 3: Sharirasthana
(1) It is egoism, and it is one of the eightfold categories of Prakriti.[44]
From: International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
(1) Also known as iness, it is evolved from Mahan.[45]
From: Shat-cakra-nirupana (the six bodily centres)
(1) The ego or sense of 'I', which is to be absorbed in the process of meditation.[46] (2) The principle of ego or individuality in the context of spiritual evolution, discussed in relation to other tattvas.[47]
From: Yoga-sutras (Vedanta Commentaries)
(1) The individual ego-sense that arises from buddhi, contributing to the sense of self-identity and personhood.[48]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) The principle of individuality or ego, which contributes to self-identification and personal experience within the objective existence.[49]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) Ahankara, along with manas and buddhi, are three items that are bathed with the image.[50] (2) Egoistry or individuation, one of the important concepts in Pancaratra that relates to the sense of self.[51]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) This is the false ego, which is the subject of renunciation, and it is considered easy to give up, and by merely giving this up, one can attain self-satisfaction, according to the text.[52]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Ahankara is the false ego that causes distress to the living entity according to the provided text.[53]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Ahankara is one of the three principles of the Sankhya, and its production from Manas, or of Mahat, is not in conformity with the Sankhya doctrine.[54]
The concept of Ahamkara in local and regional sources
Ahamkara is a philosophical concept related to ego and self-identity, exemplified by the character Manu. It signifies the limited nature of consciousness and the absence of self-awareness, highlighting the contrast between personal identity and true existence.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) Ahamkara, or self-conscious egotism, is one of the four aspects of the internal organ, representing the sense of 'I' or individuality that can influence our thoughts and actions.[55] (2) Ahamkara is the concept of consciousness, or the sense of self, which only covers a small part of one's existence, as opposed to the entirety of the individual.[56]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) A concept from Indian philosophy denoting ego or self-identity, explored through the character of Manu.[57]
From: Sanskrit Words In Southeast Asian Languages
(1) This term, originating from Oj, signifies the absence of a concept of self, representing a state devoid of personal identity and self-awareness, which is a core idea.[58]
The concept of Ahamkara in scientific sources
Ahamkara, or ego, in Ayurveda signifies individuality stemming from intellect (Buddhi) and the interaction of the three gunas, shaping perceptions and reactions, and playing a crucial role in knowledge perception alongside Mana and Buddhi.