Antaḥkaraṇa
Antaḥkaraṇa is a Sanskrit term used in Theosophy with a special meaning that differs from the one present in the Hindu philosophy. In the latter, the antaḥkaraṇa refers to the mind and its faculties. In Theosophy, it is the link between the lower and the higher mind.
In Theosophy
In the sevenfold constitution of human beings described in the Theosophical literature the fifth principle (counting from the physical body up) is called manas, commonly translated as "mind". This principle is dual, comprising the higher mind (the spiritual mind, or the reincarnating Ego), and the lower mind (the sensual mind, or the psychological ego). According to Mme. Blavatsky the antaḥkaraṇa (also spelled by her as antaskarana) is an aspect of the lower mind that does not get entangled with kama (the animal soul) but retains its original purity. For this reason, it serves as an "imaginary bridge" between the lower and higher mind:
The Antaskarana is therefore that portion of the Lower Manas which is one with the Higher, the essence, that which retains its purity; on it are impressed all good and noble aspirations, and in it are the upward energies of the Lower Manas, the energies and tendencies which become its Devachanic experiences. The whole fate of an incarnation depends on whether this pure essence, Antaskarana, can restrain the Kāma-Manas or not. It is the only salvation. Break this and you become an animal.[1]
I must explain more clearly the meaning and functions of the Antaskarana. As already said, it is represented in Plate I as a narrow strip connecting the Higher and the lower Manas. If you look at the Glossary of The Voice of the Silence, pp. 88 and 89, you will find that it is a projection of the lower Manas, or, rather, the link between the latter and the Higher Ego, or between the human and the divine or spiritual Soul.
In order not to confuse the mind of the student with the abstruse difficulties of Indian metaphysics, let him view the lower Manas or Mind, as the personal Ego during the waking state, and as Antaskarana only during those moments when it aspires towards its higher half, and thus becomes the medium of communication between the two. It is for this reason that it is called “Path.”
The fourth of these cavities is the Pituitary Body, which corresponds with Manas-AntaskaraŠa, the bridge to the Higher Intelligence; it contains various essences.
… The Occultists explain it as the path or bridge between the Higher and the Lower Manas, the divine Ego, and the personal Soul of man. It serves as a medium of communication between the two, and conveys from the Lower to the Higher Ego all those personal impressions and thoughts of men which can, by their nature, be assimilated and stored by the undying Entity, and be thus made immortal with it, these being the only elements of the evanescent Personality that survive death and time. It thus stands to reason that only that which is noble, spiritual and divine in man can testify in Eternity to his having lived. (Theosophical Glossary, Antahkarana)
Antaskarana is the name of that imaginary bridge, the path which lies between the divine and the human Egos, for they are Egos, during human life, to re-become one Ego in Devachan or Nirvāna. (Instruction No. III)
In his Occult Glossary, Gottfried de Purucker described antaḥkaraṇa in this way:
Antaskaraṇa (Sanskrit) Perhaps better spelled as antaḥkaraṇa. A compound word: antar, "interior," "within"; karaṇa, sense organ. Occultists explain this word as the bridge between the higher and lower manas or between the spiritual ego and personal soul of man. Such is H. P. Blavatsky's definition. As a matter of fact there are several antaḥkaraṇas in the human septenary constitution - one for every path or bridge between any two of the several monadic centers in man. Man is a microcosm, and therefore a unified composite, a unity in diversity; and the antaḥkaraṇas are the links of vibrating consiousness-substance uniting these various centers.[2]
mind, namely buddhi (intellect, a.k.a. anandamaya kosa or karanopadhi) or higher mind, and manas (vijnanamaya kosa,) the middle level or levels of mind that according to Theosophy exist as or include the mental body. Antahkarana is called the link between the middle and higher mind, and is described as the reincarnating part of the mind.
In Hinduism
In Hindu philosophy, the antahkarana (Skt., often translated as the "internal organ") refers to the psychological apparatus of the individual. In the Vedāntic literature, the antahkaraṇa is organised into four parts:
- Ahamkāra (ego) — the origin to the psychological 'I' associated to the body and its senses.
- Buddhi (intellect) — the principle that is able to discern truth from falsehood and thereby to make wisdom possible.
- Manas (mind) — the faculty of doubt and volition; the lower or instinctive mind, seat of desire and governor of sensory and motor organs.
- Citta (memory) — the part that deals with remembering and forgetting
Notes
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