Mayatattva, Māyātattva, Maya-tattva: 4 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
See also

Introduction:

Mayatattva means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Māyātattva (मायातत्त्व, “illusion”):—One of the Thirty-six Tattvas, according to Śaiva doctrine. This is the sixth or thirty-first tattva (when counting in reverse). These primary principles (tattva) represent the different manifestations of Brahman (universal consciousness) which together form the basis of our experiences. The Māyā-tattva forms part of the group of seven Śuddhāśuddha-tattvas, which together constitue the realm of Śuddhāśuddha-māyā.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Māyātattva (मायातत्त्व) refers to the “principle of Māyā”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “[...] Māya should be intuited to be of three kinds. First comes the Māyā (commonly known as such). Mahāmāyā is within (this, the) principle of Māyā [i.e., māyātattva]. It follows after and is endowed with (the series of) energies (sakalā). (The third form of Māyā) is above Śiva. (Mahāmāyā) is the New Moon (amā) which is at the end of emission (visarga) and is subtle and stainless (nirañjanā). [...]”.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Veda (wikidot): Hinduism

Maya-Tattva: This is God's Wondrous Power, that aspect of His Power of Action, whereby He performs the Miracle of Physical Creation. For this reason it is called the Magic Power of God or Maya Shakti.

At this stage something extraordinary happens. Just as the Sun is sometimes obscured by an eclipse or by a mist or cloud which conceals his radiant orb from human view, God's Infinite, Independent and Free Consciousness appears to become obscured by a layer of dense and opaque Consciousness. This dark veil of Consciousness provides the substance from which the Material Universe is created.

Thus, as the Sun envelops himself in clouds which produce rain which nourishes different forms of life, so also God obscures His Own Infinite Majesty and Glory and appears as, or manifests, the Material Universe teeming with innumerable forms of limited life. Just as the Sun hides himself from human view by night in order to reveal the Stars and the Moon, so also God conceals His Highest Glory so that man may see the wonders of His Creation and understand the true Power of God.

Source: Nadalila: 36 Tattva

Illusion (māyā)–“supreme veil”, “the world-source” (jagad-yoni), the power of differentiation. Source of 5 veils (kañcuka):

kalā-tattva,
vidyā-tattva,
rāga-tattva,
kāla-tattva,
niyati-tattva.

Relevant text

Search found 6 books and stories containing Mayatattva, Māyātattva, Maya-tattva, Māyā-tattva; (plurals include: Mayatattvas, Māyātattvas, tattvas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Verse 1.2.138 < [Chapter 2 - The Lord’s Appearance]

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Text 29 < [Chapter 2 - Dvitīya-yāma-sādhana (Prātaḥ-kālīya-bhajana)]

Text 15 < [Chapter 2 - Dvitīya-yāma-sādhana (Prātaḥ-kālīya-bhajana)]

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Verse 13.35 < [Chapter 13 - Prakṛti-puruṣa-vibhāga-yoga]

Verse 13.24 < [Chapter 13 - Prakṛti-puruṣa-vibhāga-yoga]

Glossary

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Part 13 - Thirty-six Tattvas (elements) of Śaivism < [Philosophy of Kashmir Tantric System]

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Chapter 9 - The Garland of Skulls and Tattvas < [Section 1 - Prabhāsa-kṣetra-māhātmya]