Significance of Ahamkara
Synonyms: Ego, Self, Identity, Consciousness, Pride, Arrogance
In Dutch: Ahamkara; In Finnish: Ahamkara; In Spanish: 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 symbolizes the 'I-making' or ego, which fosters attachment and suffering. Understanding this concept can diminish jealousy and promote sympathetic joy, highlighting the importance of overcoming ego for spiritual well-being.
Hindu concept of 'Ahamkara'
Ahamkara in Hinduism represents the ego or sense of self that creates attachment, separation from Brahman, and binds individuals to material existence. It is viewed as a barrier to spiritual realization and enlightenment.
From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha
(1) The ego or sense of 'I' that can create a false sense of identity and separation.[2] (2) The ego or sense of 'I' that distinguishes oneself from others and causes attachment.[3] (3) The ego or sense of 'I-ness' that ties individuals to their desires and worldly attachments.[4] (4) The ego or the sense of 'I' which creates delusion and leads to attachment and suffering.[5] (5) The sense of 'I-ness' or ego that creates identification with the self and objects of the world.[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: Bhagavata Purana
(1) The ego or sense of individuality that contributes to personal identity and perception of self.[12] (2) The ego or sense of 'I-ness' that creates attachment and identifies the self with the body and mind rather than the true self.[13] (3) Ego or false identification with the physical body, which is to be transcended for spiritual realization.[14] (4) Ahamkara is the concept of ego or false identification of the self, which leads to bondage by attributing the qualities of the gunas to the Atman (soul).[15] (5) Ahamkara is the sense of 'I' or ego that leads the Jiva to believe he is the doer, emanating false attributions and a loss of independence.[16]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) Represents the ego, one of the internal faculties that must be acknowledged in the worship context.[17] (2) The Cosmic Ego that manifests from the principle of Mahat, implying individual identity and consciousness.[18] (3) The sense of 'I' and 'mine', which binds individuals to their actions and consequences.[19] (4) Egotism or pride, which devotees should also be free from during acts of charity.[20] (5) Ego, which binds people in worldly existence; without it, the experience of the fruits of Karmas is not possible.[21]
From: Padma Purana
(1) The principle of ego or individuality, emerging from Mahan, which further produces subtle elements.[22] (2) The principle of ego that links the world to Pradhana and Purusha during creation.[23] (3) The concept of ego or self-identity that binds individuals to worldly existence.[24]
From: Linga Purana
(1) The concept of ego, which is an element to be purified during worship.[25] (2) The principle of ego that arises from the Mahat and leads to the differentiation of consciousness into individual entities.[26] (3) The ego, identified as the fourth aspect to be purified during the worship of the Linga.[27]
From: Brahma Purana
(1) Ego that consumes the quality of sound and contributes to the merging of elements and sense organs.[28] (2) The sense of ego or individuality that causes identification with the body and mind.[29] (3) The great ego that manifests individuality and is revered in the context of creation and existence.[30]
From: Garuda Purana
(1) Egoism, a principle in the progression of cosmic evolution as outlined in the text.[31] (2) Egoism which Vishnu is shorn of, indicating his transcendent nature.[32]
From: Matsya Purana (critical study)
(1) Derived from mahat, it signifies the ego or individuality that develops as part of the transition from Prakriti.[33] (2) The concept of 'I-making' or ego, which is produced from mahat and varies in type depending on the gunas.[34]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) Egotism that represents the sense of self-identity vital for differentiating objects and experiences.[35]
From: Harivamsha Purana
(1) The consciousness of ego that arises from ignorance, linked to the individual self and the notions of identity.[36]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) The cosmic ego or sense of individuality that arises from the interaction of the three Gunas.[37]
From: Markandeya Purana
(1) The principle of Individuality that evolves, modifies, and energizes; it is characterized into three parts: Evolving, Modifying, and Energizing.[38]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The attribute of egoism developed after the emergence of the self-existent Brahma.[39]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) Ego in all creatures, part of Manyu’s representation that causes annihilation.[40]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) Another stage in the sequence of effects that follows the Unevolved and precedes further manifestations.[41] (2) The sense of individuality or ego that arises as a result of awareness; it separates the self from the universal consciousness of Brahman.[42] (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.[43] (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.[44] (5) The principle of individuality or ego within the Sankhya framework, which can exist in three modifications.[45]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) The sense of ego or individuality, which is associated with impure Vasanas and contributes to bondage and suffering.[46] (2) The sense of 'I-am-ness', associated with attachment and identity.[47] (3) The sense of 'I-am-ness' or ego that binds an individual to the physical and material experience.[48] (4) Ahamkara represents the ego or sense of self in individual existence, which is seen as a source of attachment and delusion.[49] (5) The ego or sense of 'I-ness'; it represents the individual's identity and personal aspect of consciousness.[50]
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.[51] (2) The principle of individual ego or self-identity that is proposed as a result of the jiva's transformation.[52] (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.[53] (4) The false sense of self or ego that arises from misidentifying the jiva with the world of names and forms.[54]
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.[55]
From: Mundaka Upanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) The aspect of the Jiva that represents self-consciousness, part of its triadic structure with Buddhi and Manas.[56]
From: Siddhanta Sangraha of Sri Sailacharya
(1) The principle that arises from mahat, considered as threefold: Sattvika, Rajasa, and Tamasa, influencing sense organs and elements.[57]
From: Bhagavatpadabhyudaya by Lakshmana Suri (study)
(1) Described as the aspect associated with ego, which is a part of the understanding of maya.[58]
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.[59] (2) The principle of ego or individuality in the context of spiritual evolution, discussed in relation to other tattvas.[60]
From: Yoga-sutras (Vedanta Commentaries)
(1) The individual ego-sense that arises from buddhi, contributing to the sense of self-identity and personhood.[61]
From: Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations)
(1) The wrong sense of 'I' that arises from negativity, differentiating it from asmita.[62]
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.[63]
From: Narayaniya (Narayaneeyam)
(1) The principle of ego, responsible for self-identity in consciousness.[64] (2) The concept of ego or individuality, which is a key aspect in the formation of consciousness.[65]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) Egoistry or individuation, one of the important concepts in Pancaratra that relates to the sense of self.[66]
From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)
(1) The ego or sense of self that arises from identification with the mind and body.[67] (2) The ego that arises as part of the inner mechanisms responsible for knowledge and self-awareness.[68]
From: Sivaprakasam (Study in Bondage and Liberation)
(1) The sense of ego or 'I'-ness that plays a crucial role in the self's perception and reaction to experiences.[69]
From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana
(1) The sense of 'I'-ness or ego, often associated with the identification of the self with the body and mind.[70]
The concept of Ahamkara in local and regional sources
Ahamkara, rooted in Indian philosophy, denotes ego or self-identity, illustrated by the character of Manu. This concept emphasizes the importance of understanding one's self in the context of identity and individuality.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) A concept from Indian philosophy denoting ego or self-identity, explored through the character of Manu.[71]
The concept of Ahamkara in scientific sources
Ahamkara in Ayurveda embodies the concept of ego or individuality, stemming from intellect (Buddhi) and influenced by the three gunas, reflecting the essence of one’s identity and self-perception in the context of Ayurvedic philosophy.
From: Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine
(1) The sense of individuality or ego in Ayurveda, which arises from the intellect (Buddhi) and contains the qualities of the three gunas.[72]
From: International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
(1) Ego, which alongside Mana and Buddhi, forms a cascade necessary for knowledge perception.[73]
From: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
(1) The manifestation of ego and individuality in Ayurveda, derived from the interaction of the three Gunas.[74]