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Mahavira & Self Concept / 45
6.
Doctrine of Self in Brahmanism
The word atman occurs in Vedic literature. In Brahmanical literature we find besides atman, that prana, jiva and brahman are sometimes used as synonyms. The word prana stands for vital breath. The term jiva signifies living principle. The word Brahman has acquired a special metaphysical sense in Hinduism, referring to the ultimate reality. The most famous doctrine of Upanishads is the doctrine of the self conceived as the ultimate reality. In the old Upanishads atman is declared to be one, eternal, conscious of the nature of bliss and present every where; the atman is the source of all that is; it is the ground of the universe. The idea of the unity of ultimate truth was elaborated and systematized in the Advaita School of Vedanta. Old Upanishads contain conflicting opinions about the nature of the Self. The Taittiriya Upanishad identifies Brahman as food, breath, mind, understanding and bliss. Upanishadic Vedanta teaches the unity of the Self.
