Atman vs. Brahman — What's the Difference?

The individual soul or essence.

Brahman (Sanskrit: ब्रह्मन्) connotes the highest Universal Principle, the Ultimate Reality in the universe. In major schools of Hindu philosophy, it is the material, efficient, formal and final cause of all that exists.

Atman The essence that is eternal, unchanging, and indistinguishable from the essence of the universe.

The divine and absolute power of being that is the source and sustainer of the universe.

The true self of an individual beyond identification with worldly phenomena, the essence of an individual, an infinitesimal part of Brahman.

The divine universal consciousness pervading the universe and sustaining the souls of individual persons; Atman.

The life principle, soul, or individual essence.

A religious formula or prayer and the holy or sacred power in it and in the officiating priest.

Variant of Brahmin..

Also Brah·ma (-mə) or Brah·min (-mĭn) Any of a breed of beef cattle developed in the southern United States from stock originating in India and having a hump between the shoulders and a pendulous dewlap. They can tolerate heat and are often used for crossbreeding.

Variant of Brahmin.

Member of the Hindu priestly class.

A person of the highest or sacerdotal caste among the Hindus.

A person from an old, respected, and usually wealthy family who has considerable social or political influence; - a term used especially in New England; as, a Boston brahmin.

A member of a social and cultural elite (especially a descendant of an old New England family);

A member of the highest of the four Hindu varnas;

The highest of the four varnas: the priestly or sacerdotal category

Any of several breeds of Indian cattle; especially a large American heat and tick resistant grayish humped breed evolved in the Gulf States by interbreeding Indian cattle and now used chiefly for crossbreeding