Purusha & Atman in Samkhya and Advaita Vedanta

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Purusha, and Atman are two important concepts in Indian philosophy, particularly in Samkhya and Vedanta, also related to Chitta.

What is Purusha

Purusha refers to the true self or inner consciousness beyond the mind and its fluctuations. It is unchanging, eternal, and pure consciousness that is the same in all beings. In yoga, the goal is to realize the true nature of consciousness by transcending the limitations of the mind and identifying with the witness or observer of the mind (Purusha). This realization leads to liberation from the cycle of birth and death and the attainment of peace and inner freedom.

What is Atman

Atman is the ultimate reality or ground of being beyond all concepts and limitations. It is the same as Brahman, the supreme consciousness that underlies all of existence. In Vedanta, the goal is to realize the true nature of the self (Atman) as identical to the ultimate reality (Brahman) through practices like self-inquiry and meditation. This realization leads to liberation from the illusion of separateness and attaining inner peace and bliss.

PROPERTY

CHITTA

PURUSHA

ATMAN

Nature

Changing, fluctuating aspects of consciousness include thoughts, emotions, memories, and perceptions.

Unchanging, eternal, and pure consciousness beyond the mind and its fluctuations.

The ultimate reality or ground of being is unchanging, eternal, and beyond all concepts and limitations.

Location

Within the mind or psyche.

Beyond the mind and its fluctuations.

Beyond all concepts, including the mind and its contents.

Role

Experiences the world and processes information.

Acts as a witness or observer of the mind and its contents.

Same as Purusha – the true self beyond all roles and functions.

Goal

To purify and refine the mind, cultivate virtues like compassion and wisdom, and ultimately realize the true nature of consciousness.

To realize the true nature of consciousness, transcend the limitations of the mind, and attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Same as Purusha – to realize the true nature of consciousness and attain liberation.

Relationship to ego (Ahamkara)

Chitta is a part of the ego or personality, influenced by conditioning, habits, and karma.

Purusha is separate from the ego and observes the mind without identifying.

Same as Purusha – beyond the ego and its limitations.

Relationship to individuality

Chitta is associated with individuality and personal experience.

Purusha transcends individuality and is the same in all beings.

Same as Purusha – beyond individuality and associated with the ultimate reality.

Relationship to consciousness

Chitta is an aspect of consciousness but is limited by conditioning and the fluctuations of the mind.

Purusha is pure consciousness, unchanging and eternal, and is the true nature of the self.

Same as Purusha – associated with the ultimate reality and beyond all limitations.

Relationship to ultimate reality

Chitta is distinct from the ultimate reality but can be purified and refined to reflect it more accurately.

Purusha reflects the ultimate reality, and realizing its true nature leads to liberation.

Atman is the ultimate reality or ground of being; beyond all concepts and limitations, realizing its true nature leads to liberation.

The Subtle Differences Between Purusha and Atman?

Purusha and Atman are two related but distinct concepts in Indian philosophy. While there is some overlap between the two, they have different origins and are used in different ways by different philosophical schools.

Purusha is a term that was first mentioned in the ancient Samkhya philosophy, which dates back to around the 3rd or 4th century BCE. In Samkhya, Purusha is considered a non-material entity or principle that is distinct from Prakriti (matter/nature). Pure consciousness or subjectivity observes the material world but is not a part of it. The goal of Samkhya is to attain liberation by realizing the distinction between Purusha and Prakriti and recognizing that Purusha is free from all material limitations and sufferings.

Atman, on the other hand, is a term that appears in the Upanishads, a collection of ancient texts that form the basis of Vedanta philosophy. The Upanishads date back to around the 8th century BCE, and they explore the nature of the self and ultimate reality. In Vedanta, Atman is considered the true self or innermost essence of consciousness, identical to Brahman, the ultimate reality or ground of being. The goal of Vedanta is to attain liberation by realizing the identity of Atman and Brahman and recognizing that the individual self is not separate from the ultimate reality but rather an expression of it.

While Purusha and Atman share some similarities, such as the idea that they represent a transcendent, unchanging aspect of consciousness, different philosophical schools use them in different ways. Purusha is more narrowly focused on the distinction between the observer and the observed, while Atman is more broadly focused on the identity between the individual self and ultimate reality. However, both concepts ultimately point towards the same realization of liberation and recognizing the ultimate truth.

To make things clear, you can say that Purusha, and Atman are three interrelated concepts in Indian philosophy that relate to the mind, the true self, and the ultimate reality, Purusha represents the unchanging, eternal aspect beyond the mind, leading to liberation when realized. Atman represents the ultimate reality that underlies all of existence and can be realized as identical to the true self through practices like meditation and self-inquiry.