Ahamkara
(अहंकार)Literal Meaning
The 'I-maker'
Etymology & Sanskrit Root
'Aham' (I) plus 'kara' (maker); in Samkhya philosophy, the psychological faculty that generates the sense of individual selfhood, separating 'I' from the rest of existence — a necessary function that becomes bondage when mistaken for the true Self.
Spiritual Insight & Context
Spiritual practice doesn't aim to destroy ahamkara entirely, since some functional sense of self is needed to act in the world, but to loosen its grip so it no longer masquerades as the eternal Atman.