माया
The precise linguistic root, etymology, and scriptural context of Maya.
AEO Summary
Maya is the cosmic veil or creative power that makes the infinite, undivided ultimate reality appear as a universe of separate, finite objects.
Primary Meanings
- Illusion or apparent reality
- The creative power of the Divine
- That which is not (ma = not, ya = that)
- The phenomenal world of duality
Tradition Context
The cosmic illusion that superimposes the world of multiplicity onto the single reality of Brahman, much like a snake projected onto a rope.
Shiva's real, conscious power of creation (Swatantrya). The world is not an illusion, but a real expression of the Divine's free will.
The divine energy of the Lord. It binds those who are attached to the world, but serves those who are devoted to God.
Scriptural Usage
"मायां तु प्रकृतिं विद्यान्मायिनं तु महेश्वरम्"
— Know Maya to be Nature (Prakriti), and the Master of Maya to be the Great Lord (Maheshvara).
"दैवी ह्येषा गुणमयी मम माया दुरत्यया । मामेव ये प्रपद्यन्ते मायामेतां तरन्ति ते ॥"
— This divine Maya of Mine, consisting of the three gunas, is difficult to overcome. But those who take refuge in Me alone cross over this Maya.
Etymology
Maya originally meant the creative power of a deity. Later, it came to mean the illusory power that makes the infinite Brahman appear as the finite universe.
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