In
Hindu theology,
Paramatman or
Paramātmā is the Absolute
Atman or Supreme Soul or Spirit (also known as
Supersoul or
Oversoul) in the
Vedanta and
Yoga philosophies of
India.
Paramatman is one of the aspects of Brahman. Paramatman is situated in the heart of every individual jiva in the macrocosm. The Upanishads compare Atman and Paramatman to two birds sitting like friends on the branch of a tree (body). The Atman eats its fruits (karma), and the Paramatman only observes the Atman as a witness (sākṣin) of His friend's actions.
The word stem paramātman (परमात्मन्, pronounced [pərəmaːtmən], its nominative singular being paramātmā — परमात्मा, pronounced [pərəmaːtmaː]) is formed from two words, parama, meaning "supreme" or "highest", and ātman, which means individual spirit or soul or self.
The relationship between Paramātmā and Atman is likened to the indwelling God and the soul within one's heart like two birds on a tree.
