antahkarana | अंतःकरण
antahakarana (Devanagari: अंतःकरण ISO15919: aṁtaḥkaraṇa) is the inner machinery. The word antaha means "internal" and karana refers to the machine which performs actions.
Thus, antahakarana is only worker in the human being. According to God's law all actions of the antahakarana done in a wakeful state are called karma. Also, this antahakarana is subservient to the jiva and is an eternal aide given by the Supreme Lord.
That machinery is also called mind or man (Devanagari: मन ISO15919: mana).
Man of material beings is made of Maya. Its nature is to be restless. Even while sleeping mind is active and creates dreams. Mind is always active except during deep sleep (sushupti).
There are two primary functions of this subtle machinery -
- mana (Devanagari: मन ISO15919: mana) - when it creates a desire for something, weighs the pros and cons, then it is called the mind or mana.
- buddhi or the intellect (Devanagari: बुद्धि ISO15919: buddhi) - when it takes a decision, it is called intellect or buddhi.
Some say this machinery has two more functions
- Chitta (Devanagari: चित्त ISO15919: citta) - when it thinks it is called chitta.
- Ahankaar (Devanagari: अहंकार ISO15919: ahaṁkāra) - when it gives rise to pride or ego, it is called ego or ahankaar.
Also written as antah-karan
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