ahamkara | अहंकार

Ahamkara (Devanagari: अहंकार; ISO 15919: ahaṁkāra) broadly refers to the "Ego" or the sense of "I-ness" (literally "the I"). In Vedic philosophy, it has two distinct but meanings:

1. The Cosmological Element: During the process of srishti a subtle element ahamkara is born from mahan.
2. The False Ego
   1. For the individual soul (jiva), Ahamkara refers to the False Ego.
   2. This is the misconception where the eternal soul identifies itself with the temporary physical body.
   3. Instead of realizing "I am a soul, a servant of God," the being thinks, "I am this body, I am a man/woman, I am rich/poor."
   4. This illusion is caused by Svarupavarika maya (also known as Avaranatmika Maya), the power of Maya that veils the true nature of the soul.

Further Reading and Reference

• Alternate Spellings: ahankar, ahankara, ahamkar
• Related Concepts:
  • Srishti—Creation
  • avaranatmika maya
• References: Prem Marg - The Path to Divine Love