The Vedas introduce early conceptions of self that see the individual self (jiva) as connected to and integrated within the cosmic whole (Purusha/Brahman). The Rig Veda's Nasadiya hymn wonders about the origins of existence. The Purusha-Sukta hymn describes the dismembered parts of the cosmic Purusha constituting the universe. Later Upanishads identify the individual atman with the impersonal Brahman, proposing an ultimate non-dual reality beyond distinctions. This shifts the conception of self from an individual to a universal principle while debates continue on the substantiality and nature of self.

1. Self and BrahmanThe Vedas to UpanishadsPurushottamaBilimoria

2. The VedasEarliest Conception of Self Rig Veda (around 1500-1600 BCE)Principle texts (Hinduism)4 Vedas (Sruti-’heard’ scriptures) c.2 BCE-300BCERig VedaYajor VedaSama VedaAtharva Veda

3. Composition of Vedas (pg 322)4 SectionsSamhitasBrahmanasAranyakasUpanishadsVedantaSubject MatterKarma-KandaUpasana-KandaJnana-Kanda

4. Other Authoritative Scriptures of HinduismSmriti (the ‘recollected’ or ‘remembered’ scriptures) c. 500 BCE-1700+ CESecondary to VedasRig Vedaoldest significant extant Indian text1,028 Vedic Sanskrit hymns and 10,600 verses ten books (mandalas)Hymns dedicated to Rigvedicdeitiescomposed by sages and poets 1400 BCE to 900 BCE

5. Rig VedaBegins with puzzle Nasadiya129th hymn of the 10th Mandala of the RigvedaWonders about beginningPerhaps earliest expression of skeptical inquiry and agnosticism

6. Nasadiya (pg 323)

7. Nasadiya

8. Self and Creation in the VedasRigvedic Seer (derived from Rig Veda) Not committed to facticity of existence or any existent. Wonders if/how no-existence could have arisenHow/why world is how it is nowIs ‘creation’ due to working of some mysterious hand?

9. Purusha – The Cosmic PersonCosmic pattern and ordering of society modeled after image of a person. PurushaThe Cosmic PersonHymn – “Purusha – Sukta” “Hymn of Man”Describes Purusha whose dismembered parts consitute the universe and its ‘furniture.’Opposite of creatio ex nihilio“made from nothing.”

10. Purusha-Sukta, The Hymn of ManThe Purusha (the Supreme Being), who has thousands of heads, thousands of eyes and thousands of feet enveloped the earth on all sides and stood beyond it in the ten directions of space.All this is the Purusha only; all that has been and all that will be. And He is the Lord of Immortality, which (also) grows by food.Such is His greatness, but the Purusha is greater than this. All beings make up only one-quarter of Him. Three-quarters of Him which are immortal are in Heaven.Three-quarters of the Purusha ascended high; one-quarter was here, again and again. And, diversified in form, it moved to the animate and inanimate world.From That was born Virat (the totality of beings). From Virat was the Purusha born. As soon as He was born, He spread over the earth both in front and behind.When the devas (gods) performed a sacrifice with the Purusha as the offering, the season of spring was the molten butter (used in all sacrifices), summer the sacred fuel and autumn the oblation.

11. When the devas performed the sacrifice, in which they bound the Purusha as the sacrificial animal, there were seven poles in the sacrificial enclosure and three times seven logs of sacred firewood.They placed Him, the Sacrifice, Purusha, the firstborn, on the sacrificial grass and besprinkled Him with the sacred water. Then the devas, the sadhyas and the rishis performed the sacrifice with Him as the offering.From that sacrifice, in which everything was offered as an oblation, was collected fresh butter. Creatures living in air (birds) and those living in forests and villages came in to being.From that sacrifice, in which everything was offered as oblation, came the Riks (Vedic Hymns) and the Samans (Hymns which are sung - the SaamaGaana). The Chandases (Vedic Metres) came from it; and from it theYajus (mantra for the ritual) was born.

12. Horses were born of it, and animals with two rows of teeth. Cows were born of it, and so were goats and sheep.When they cut up the Purusha, into how many parts did they divide Him? What did they call His mouth, His two arms, His two thighs and His two feet?The Brahmana was His mouth, the two arms became the Kshatriya, and His two thighs became the Vaisya. Of his two feet was the Sudra born. The moon was born of His mind. The Sun was born of His two eyes. Indra Agni were born of His mouth. Vayu was born of His Praana (life-breath).

13. The antariksha (middle region) came from His navel. The sky appeared out of the head, the earth from the two feet and the quarters from the two ears. Thus they created the worlds.I know that great Purusha, lustrous as the Sun beyond darkness. The Wise One, having made all the forms appear, gave them names, and uttered these as they were.One who knows Him whom Dhata (Creator) first revealed, and so did Sakra (Indra) who fully knew the four quarters, becomes immortal here. There is no other way.The devas performed sacrifice with the Sacrifice. These were the first dharmas. They, the mighty ones, attained the height of Heaven where the ancient sadhyas and devas abide.

14. The Hymn of ManHuman existence has a purpose and plan that approximates the cosmos itself and is related to its various aspects. Human life can only have meaning when it is in harmony with the cosmosNeed not necessarily lead to a single metaphysical view about the selfThus, no definitive conception of personal self in Vedas, apart from integration with cosmos.

15. Terms of NotePurusha – ‘person’Jiva – created or individual self, akin to ‘soul’Cetana-atman – everlasting intelligent principlePrana – breath/lifeSutru-atman – rulerAtman vatahHamsa – ‘all-dwelling inner power’ or swan

16. AtmanSelf gets referred to by all terms above, but Atman is strongestPurusha = connotates to signify the principle of existence within each living being – gods, humans and animals alike. Atman = used to refer to this principle in human beings. Jiva = identifies the individual self.

17. JivaEach being has own distinguishing features that characterize it. Substantive status is only provisionalDoes not imply that it has to be permanently existing entity or substance

18. JivaOn one level, self is nothing but the jiva (constituent body, mind, memory, qualities, etc.)On another level, self may transcend the limitations of jiva and be identified by all beings. This is Self, better referred to by atman. However, jiva and atman are not two things in an individual, instead, they are united in an inseparable relationship.

19. Upanishads: Brahaman and the Unity of BeingIdea of unity – individual, social, and cosmic existenceRelate atman to BrahmanBrahman = absolute being.“sacred formula” or the “word”Connotation of “holy power”Eventually represented greatness of beingVery abstract, defies human conception

20. Atman and BrahmanIn Upanishads, tend to identify atman (as the ‘breath’ or principle in human being) with Brahman(as the principle underlying the universe.)Ultimately there is no distinction or difference to be made between the real self of human existence and that which ultimately is. In conversation between sage Yajnavalka and his wife Maitreyi, he tells her that the knowledge that he seeks of the self is dear not for the sake of the husband, wife, son, wealth or any of the other castes, rather it is dear for the sake of atman, for he says that atman is all. (pg 330)

21. Atman equals BrahmanChandogya – between the god Indra and the demon Virocana approach Prajapti, who says:“The self which is free from evil, free from old age, free from death, free from grief, free from hunger and thirst, whose desire is the real, whose thought is the real, he should be sought, him should one desire to understand. He who has found out and who understands that self, he obtains all worlds and desires.”

22. Atman equals BrahmanHowever, god Indra took 101 years to understand that desire is a function of the senses and that this is not the way to self-realization, rather a deep insight into the self through knowledge and reflection is ultimately necessary.Rest of Chandogya Upanishad presents the central teachings on the self, its various states, (‘inner space’ and in sleep, its fate at death, and its quest for immortality.)

23. Atman equals BrahmanThe self has been elevated to another level or order of being by identifying the atman with Brahman. Atman = all of all; although it is one, It is the non-dual, a-temporal reality that manifests itself in various forms. Atman = smaller than the smallest, and greater than the greatest.

24. Conception of SelfDeeper conception is jiva in its embodied existence. Atman is the cause of the bodyJiva is a subtle ball of fireConceived as root of egoConstructed selfJiva provides unifying network among consciousness, since it is just a manifestation in response to its environment. Jiva can move out of body at point of death and continue its existence when found another body.

25. Reactions against the Brahmanic-Hindu ViewMaterialists said atman had a concept of the substantial self. Thus, Buddhism formed – denying the self.

26. How substantial is the atman?Atman is beyond personal self – is same for all peopleSubstantial self is different in each individualAtman appears to enable human beings to look beyond limiting conception of a self identified with bodily or conscious processes.

27. ConclusionThanks for listening =] Hope you’re not confused. >.<