Concept

Ahamkara

Overview

Ahamkara (Sanskrit: अहंकार; Romanized: Ahaṁkāra), "I-making," is a Sanskrit term in Hindu philosophy referring to the construction of a self-concept, or the false identification of the self (Purusha, atman) with impermanent entities such as the body, mind, or material objects. It evolves from Mahat-tattva, and is one of the four Antaḥkaraṇa (functions of the mind).

Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).

Related ideas

• Ātman (Hinduism)
• Moksha
• Bhagavad Gita
• Sanskrit
• Purusha
• Hindu philosophy
• Guṇa
• Aham (Kashmir Shaivism)

Place in the tradition

Part of Samkhya.

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