Ātman (/ˈɑːtmən/; Sanskrit: आत्मन्, IAST: Ātman) 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,[1] 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 and Self) in every being, a major point of difference with Buddhism which does not believe that there is either soul or self.[2]