Glossary · Philosophy
Atman
आत्मन्
What does Atman mean?
Atman is the true self behind body, mind, and personality. Chapter 2 of the Gita describes it as unborn, eternal, and imperishable: weapons cannot cut it, fire cannot burn it, water cannot wet it, wind cannot dry it.
Realizing the atman — seeing the same self in all beings — is the heart of the Gita's wisdom. It dissolves fear and grief, because what is eternal cannot be harmed, and it is the basis of the Gita's teaching on equanimity.