Ātman (Hinduism)

Ātman (/ˈɑːtmən/) is a Sanskrit word that means inner self or soul. In Hindu philosophy, especially in the Vedanta school of Hinduism, Ātman is the first principle, the true self of an individual beyond identification with phenomena, the essence of an individual. In order to attain liberation, a human being must acquire self-knowledge (atma jnana), which is to realize that one's true self (Ātman) is identical with the transcendent self Brahman.

The six orthodox schools of Hinduism believe that there is Ātman (Soul, Self) in every being, a major point of difference with Buddhism, which does not believe that there is either soul or self.

Etymology

"Ātman" (Atma, आत्मा, आत्मन्) is a Sanskrit word which means "essence, breath, soul." It is related to PIE *etmen (a root meaning "breath"; cognates: Ancient Greek ἀτμός atmòs "vapor" (whence English atmosphere), Dutch adem, Old High German atum "breath," Modern German atmen "to breathe" and Atem "respiration, breath", Old English eþian). Ātman is synonymous with Soul, Self.

Athma (film)

Athma (English: Soul) is a 1993 Tamil supernatural film directed by Prathap K. Pothan. The film features Ramki, Rahman, Nassar, Gouthami and Kasthuri in lead roles. The film, produced by Ajitha Hari, had musical score by Ilaiyaraaja and was released on 30 July 1993 to positive reviews.

Plot

Raghu (Rahman), an atheist archaeologist, and his father (Vijayachander) went to an isolated village for research. During the research, his father disappears mysteriously and Raghu finds out a strange prophecy : God will come to earth on Purnima day at the Nagakali Amman temple and the people who will submerge completely under the waterfall near the Nagakali Amman temple will be cured of any disease. His colleague Pathma (Vinodhini) informs her blind friend Divya (Gouthami) who is journalist and the news reaches the public. Pathma is in love with Naveen (Riyaz Khan), who is in the final stages of cancer. Soon, an atheist terrorist group, led by Saravanan (Ramki), try to destroy the temple. Saravanan has a tragic past : his sister and his brother-in-law were a devotee who were brutally killed by the temple's donor. In the meantime, the police officer Hari (Nassar), Divya's brother, is charged with eradicating the terrorist group. Pathma believes in this prophecy, so she gets married to Naveen and takes him to the temple. Divya compels Hari to come with him to restore her sight and he agrees to do so. Few days before the God's arrival, the Nagakali Amman temple is overcrowded. A race against the clock starts.