Colonised Mindset Unmasked: Jeffrey Armstrong Challenges 'Soul' as Inadequate Translation for 'Aatma'
In a compelling and thought-provoking episode of Times Mantra, renowned scholar Jeffrey Armstrong delves deep into the pervasive influence of a colonised mindset, shedding light on how Western intellectual frameworks have systematically reshaped and diluted the profound meanings embedded within Indian philosophical concepts. Armstrong's analysis serves as a clarion call for intellectual decolonisation, urging a return to authentic Indic understanding.
The Linguistic Distortion: How 'Aatma' Was Lost in Translation
Armstrong meticulously explains that the process of colonisation was not merely political or economic but profoundly intellectual and linguistic. He highlights how key terms from Hindi and Sanskrit were often poorly or intentionally mistranslated into English, stripping them of their original depth, nuance, and spiritual context. This linguistic manipulation, he argues, has had a lasting impact on how Indian knowledge systems are perceived globally and, more critically, by Indians themselves.
The central example he presents is the translation of the Sanskrit word "aatma" to the English "soul." According to Armstrong, this is a fundamental error. The Western concept of a "soul" often carries connotations of a distinct, individual entity—sometimes seen as separate from the body or the divine. In contrast, "aatma" in Vedic and Sanatana philosophy represents the universal, eternal Self or consciousness that is identical with the ultimate reality (Brahman). It signifies the true essence of being that transcends the individual ego.
Language as a Tool of Consciousness and Identity
The discussion powerfully underscores how language is not just a means of communication but a primary shaper of consciousness and self-identity. By internalising foreign translations that misrepresent native concepts, Armstrong suggests, people can inherit a mental conditioning that alienates them from their own civilisational wisdom. This intellectual colonialism creates a disconnect, making authentic philosophical inquiry more difficult.
- It alters the framework for understanding self and reality.
- It perpetuates a dependency on Western epistemological models.
- It obscures the sophisticated psychological and metaphysical systems developed in ancient India.
A Call to Reclaim Indic Wisdom and Break Mental Chains
Armstrong's episode is ultimately a powerful exhortation. He urges viewers, scholars, and seekers to actively engage in the work of cultural and intellectual decolonisation. This involves:
- Critical Examination: Questioning inherited translations and definitions of key philosophical terms.
- Direct Engagement: Returning to original Sanskrit and other Indian language sources to grasp concepts in their native context.
- Reclamation: Reviving and promoting an authentic understanding of Bharatiya Darshan (Indian philosophy), Vedanta, and Sanatana thought on their own terms.
By doing so, individuals can break free from what Armstrong describes as a colonised mindset, rediscovering the lost meanings and immense depth of their own intellectual heritage. This journey is framed not as a rejection of the West, but as a necessary correction to reclaim a complete and accurate picture of human consciousness and spirituality as articulated in Indic traditions.
