Mental health has often been approached in modern psychology through the frameworks of biology, cognition, and behaviour. Yet, ancient Indian philosophy offers a remarkably nuanced and deeply introspective model of the mind, encapsulated in the concept of Antaḥkaraṇa, or the ‘inner instrument’.

At the heart of the Indian philosophical understanding of the mind is the Antaḥkaraṇa, the inner apparatus of awareness. It is a multi-dimensional understanding of the psyche, offering valuable insights into emotional well-being, identity, memory, and decision-making, all central to the modern discourse on mental health.

The Antaḥkaraṇa: Mapping The Inner World

The Antaḥkaraṇa includes four distinct but interconnected functions:

• Manas (the lower mind)
• Ahaṅkāra (the ego)
• Citta(the memory bank)
• Buddhi (the higher intellect).

These four components form the architecture of an individual’s mental landscape and influence how we perceive, process, and respond to the world.

Understanding these components individually helps delineate the psychological model ancient Indian thought proposed, one that integrates emotion, identity, memory, reason, and spiritual growth in a seamless continuum.

Manas: The Gateway Of Perception And Emotion

Manas serves as the mediator between the external environment and the internal self. It receives sensory inputs and classifies them as pleasant or unpleasant, thereby giving rise to Bhāva, or emotional responses. The mind’s reactivity is foundational to mental health; when overwhelmed or poorly regulated, it may lead to anxiety, mood disorders, or stress-related conditions.

According to this model, improving mental health begins with developing awareness of how Manas classifies and reacts to experiences. Techniques like mindfulness, which have parallels in Indian meditative practices, aim to slow down this reactive process and allow for reflective, rather than instinctive, responses.

 Ahaṅkāra: The Illusion Of ‘I’

The ego, or Ahaṅkāra, is a projection of the mind that generates the sense of ‘I’, giving rise to identification with emotions, thoughts, and actions. While ego provides continuity of identity, it also distorts perception by filtering reality through Rāga (attachments), Dveṣa (aversions), and Abhiniveśa (fears).

From a mental health perspective, unchecked ego identification can lead to narcissism, low self-worth, or chronic dissatisfaction. Indian philosophy posits that much of our suffering stems from over-identification with Ahaṅkāra. The practice of Viveka (discernment) aims to loosen the grip of ego and expand consciousness beyond the false self, thereby cultivating psychological resilience and inner freedom.

Citta: The Repository Of Memory And Habit

Citta is the subconscious storage of Saṃskāra (psychological imprints), Vāsanā (tendencies), and Vṛtti (thought patterns). These stored imprints shape personality and behaviour, often outside the realm of conscious awareness. Mental health challenges, such as trauma or compulsive behaviours, may be seen as manifestations of deeply embedded Vāsanā arising as Vṛtti in reaction to stimuli.

Therapeutic approaches aimed at revisiting and transforming these patterns—such as cognitive restructuring or psychodynamic therapy—align with the idea of cleansing the Citta. Indian practices such as Japa (repetitive chanting), Dhyāna (meditation), and Svādhyāya (self-study) serve the same purpose: to overwrite old Saṃskāra and lay down new ones, thereby transforming the internal narrative and breaking the grip of habitual suffering.

Buddhi: The Faculty Of Discernment And Liberation

If Manas is reactive and Citta is habitual, Buddhi is the seat of rational decision-making and moral reasoning. It exercises Viveka (discernment) and Saṃjñā (rational cognition), empowering individuals to make choices that transcend instinct and ego.

From the standpoint of mental health, Buddhi represents the capacity for self-regulation, reflective thinking, and ethical decision-making—skills crucial for emotional intelligence and well-being. The more the Buddhi is exercised, the greater the chance of forming healthier Saṃskāra, leading to a virtuous cycle of better choices and emotional balance.

Importantly, Indian thought asserts that even Buddhi can be compromised by ego. Thus, cultivating an unbiased Buddhi through introspection, meditation, and philosophical inquiry becomes the cornerstone of mental and spiritual maturity.

Free Will, Karma, And The Path To Healing

Indian philosophy does not deny the influence of Niyati (destiny) or Saṃskāra inherited from past lives, but it emphasises the power of Buddhi to exercise free will. Mental health is therefore not a fixed state, but an evolving consequence of choices made in response to each life situation.

This dynamic understanding resonates with modern views of neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to change with experience. Just as habitual mental patterns can entrench suffering, conscious choice-making can lead to healing and transformation. Each moment becomes an opportunity for reshaping destiny, thereby linking spirituality and mental wellness in a profound interplay.

Conclusion: The Path To Inner Freedom

Ancient Indian philosophy offers a deeply integrative and spiritually enriched framework for understanding mental health. It teaches that the mind is not a monolithic entity but a complex instrument whose components—Manas, Ahaṅkāra, Citta, and Buddhi—must be understood, balanced, and refined.

True mental well-being arises not merely from symptom management but from transforming the very structure of inner awareness. By harnessing the power of Buddhi, cleansing the Citta, calming the Manas, and transcending the Ahaṅkāra, individuals can gradually dissolve the grip of suffering and move toward inner freedom—not only in a spiritual sense, but as a deep psychological liberation from the cycles of reactivity, fear, and delusion.

In this view, mental health is both a path and a destination—one that unites the pursuit of personal peace with the timeless quest for self-realisation.

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© Sujata Khanna. All rights reserved

Sujata Khanna’s book, ‘The Eternal Law’, explores Sanātana Philosophy in its elemental form. Available on Amazon worldwide: India, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherland, Poland, Sweden, Japan

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