Maya — illusion/nature's power in Hindu philosophy. Veils Brahman. Main topic of Advaita Vedanta.
"Ma" (not) + "Ya" (that which is) = that which doesn't really exist. Material world = maya-creation.
✦ Nature
Anadi: start unknown.
Saanta: ends with knowledge.
Anirvachaniya: neither real nor unreal.
Prakashya: revealed by Brahman-light.
3 gunas: sattva, rajas, tamas.
Visible world = maya-creation.
✦ 2 Functions
1. Avarana-shakti: veils Brahman.
2. Vikshepa-shakti: projects name-form-world.
Example: snake-illusion on rope.
Rope = Brahman. Snake = world.
Light of knowledge = snake-illusion ends.
✦ Advaita View (Shankara)
Brahman is the one truth.
World is mithya (vyavaharik-real, paramartha-unreal).
Jiva = Brahman + avidya.
Avidya-removal = moksha.
3 levels of truth: pratibhasik, vyavaharik, paramartha.
✦ Vishishtadvaita View (Ramanuja)
Maya = Ishvara's power, not illusion.
World real.
Jiva is part-form.
Bhakti for Ishvara-union.
Dvaita-Vedanta (Madhva): maya = prakriti.
📚Sources & References
Content in this article is verified against the following classical and modern authoritative sources. Readers may independently verify against the original sources.
- ▪Surya Siddhanta — classical Sanskrit astronomical text (~5th century CE)
- ▪Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra — foundational text on Vedic astrology by Maharishi Parashara
- ▪Muhurta Chintamani by Ram Daivajna (16th century) — standard reference for muhurat selection
- ▪Astronomical Algorithms by Jean Meeus (Willmann-Bell, 1998) — basis for all astronomical computations on this site
- ▪Lahiri Ayanamsa — standard sidereal reference adopted by the Indian Calendar Reform Committee (1955)
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
If maya is illusion, is suffering real?▼
Real at vyavaharik level. Illusion at paramartha level. Suffering ends in jnana state.
How to escape maya?▼
Jnana yoga. Guru-grace. Meditation. Sat-sang. Not escape — go beyond maya.
🔗Related Topics
Note: This content is published for educational and cultural reference. For personal religious or astrological decisions, please consult a qualified pandit or jyotishi.