Antahkarana
Encyclopedia
In Hindu philosophy
, the antahkarana (Skt.) refers to the highest, i.e. most abstract, part of the mind, and it may include the concrete part of the mind (manas
). In the consciousness level classification karanopadhi it is regarded as separate from the emotional part of the mind, which in another classification (that of planes
) is regarded as being on the same level of mind. Antahkarana is higher than that level because a lower upadhi
than karana
includes the emotions. Antahkarana is called the link between the higher mind and the enclosing soul (buddhi
) consciousness, the latter of which is 'thoughtful consciousness that can think of the mind' (some would call this 'higher mind'). In Dharma
(Sanatana
, etc.) the antahkarana is described as the reincarnating part of the mind, so it has a special link with the soul.
The concept has been compared to that of Nous
, which when capitalized includes the human monad
(or jivatman) and beyond, i.e. it is the higher manas
within the jive/jivatma (monad), which links its own part of the jivatma with the rupa
or arupa
manas above the separate kama
-manas
.
In the vedāntic literature, the (internal organ) is organised into four parts:
Hindu philosophy
Hindu philosophy is divided into six schools of thought, or , which accept the Vedas as supreme revealed scriptures. Three other schools do not accept the Vedas as authoritative...
, the antahkarana (Skt.) refers to the highest, i.e. most abstract, part of the mind, and it may include the concrete part of the mind (manas
Manas
Manas may refer to one of the following:*Manas, a Kyrgyz epic poem with 500,000 lines.*The Pali and Sanskrit term for "mind"; see**Manas **Manas-vijnana, one of the eight consciousnesses taught in Yogacara Buddhism...
). In the consciousness level classification karanopadhi it is regarded as separate from the emotional part of the mind, which in another classification (that of planes
Plane (metaphysics)
In esoteric cosmology, a plane, other than the physical plane is conceived as a subtle state of consciousness that transcends the known physical universe....
) is regarded as being on the same level of mind. Antahkarana is higher than that level because a lower upadhi
Upadhi
Upadhi is a term in Hindu philosophy. An upadhi is external; in Hindu logic, it is an extra limitation or qualification on something. It can also be viewed as a disguise or vehicle for true reality, both defining something and limiting it. For example, the body of a man or animal is the upadhi...
than karana
Karana
Karana may refer to:*Karana dance, poses in classical Indian dance*Karana, the main character in Scott O'Dell's novel Island of the Blue Dolphins, who is based on the historical Juana Maria*Karrana, a village in Bahrain...
includes the emotions. Antahkarana is called the link between the higher mind and the enclosing soul (buddhi
Buddhi
Buddhi is a feminine Sanskrit noun derived from the same root as the more familiar masculine form Buddha Buddhi is a feminine Sanskrit noun derived from the same root as the more familiar masculine form Buddha Buddhi is a feminine Sanskrit noun derived from the same root as the more familiar...
) consciousness, the latter of which is 'thoughtful consciousness that can think of the mind' (some would call this 'higher mind'). In Dharma
Dharma
Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
(Sanatana
Sanatana
Sanatana was one of the Four Kumaras or Catursana, the manasputras of Brahma from the Puranic texts of Hinduism, like the Bhagavata Purana others being Sanaka, Sanandana and Sanatkumara....
, etc.) the antahkarana is described as the reincarnating part of the mind, so it has a special link with the soul.
The concept has been compared to that of Nous
Nous
Nous , also called intellect or intelligence, is a philosophical term for the faculty of the human mind which is described in classical philosophy as necessary for understanding what is true or real, very close in meaning to intuition...
, which when capitalized includes the human monad
Monad
-Philosophy:*Monad a term meaning "unit" used variously by ancient philosophers from the Pythagoreans to Plato, Aristotle, and Plotinus to signify a variety of entities from a genus to God....
(or jivatman) and beyond, i.e. it is the higher manas
Manas
Manas may refer to one of the following:*Manas, a Kyrgyz epic poem with 500,000 lines.*The Pali and Sanskrit term for "mind"; see**Manas **Manas-vijnana, one of the eight consciousnesses taught in Yogacara Buddhism...
within the jive/jivatma (monad), which links its own part of the jivatma with the rupa
Rupa
In Hinduism and Buddhism, rūpa generally refers to material objects, particularly in regards to their appearance.-Definition:According to the Monier-Williams Dictionary , rūpa is defined as:...
or arupa
Arupa
In Hinduism and Buddhism, arūpa , refers to formless or also non-material objects or subjects. Ether is somewhat arūpa, while the classical elements are rupa....
manas above the separate kama
Kama
Kāma is often translated from Sanskrit as sexual desire, sexual pleasure, sensual gratification, sexual fulfillment, or eros54654564+more broadly mean desire, wish, passion, longing, pleasure of the senses, the aesthetic enjoyment of life, affection, or love, without sexual connotations.-Kama in...
-manas
Manas
Manas may refer to one of the following:*Manas, a Kyrgyz epic poem with 500,000 lines.*The Pali and Sanskrit term for "mind"; see**Manas **Manas-vijnana, one of the eight consciousnesses taught in Yogacara Buddhism...
.
In the vedāntic literature, the (internal organ) is organised into four parts:
- Manas (mind) — the part that controls sankalpa (will or resolution)
- Buddhi (intellect) — the part that controls decision taking
- Chitta (memory) — the part that deals with remembering and forgetting
- (ego) — the part that identifies the AtmanAtman (Hinduism)Ātman is a Sanskrit word that means 'self'. In Hindu philosophy, especially in the Vedanta school of Hinduism it refers to one's true self beyond identification with phenomena...
(the Self) with the body as 'I'),