Significance of Nature of Maya
The Nature of Maya, as understood in Vaishnavism, Purana, and Vedanta, focuses on the illusory power binding souls to the material world, distracting them from spiritual truths. Vaishnavism emphasizes Maya's role in leading individuals away from understanding God. In Purana, Maya is described as the underlying illusion causing cycles of birth and death, affecting even the wise. Vedanta presents Maya as an insentient darkness that obscures the true nature of Brahman, portraying a complex relationship between existence and illusion.
Synonyms: Nature of illusion, Illusion, Trickery, Deception, Appearance
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Nature of Maya'
The Nature of Maya in Hinduism represents the material world's illusory nature, deceiving individuals from spiritual truth, reflecting cycles of existence, and fostering a false sense of separation, ultimately binding souls away from realizing Brahman's reality.
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) Describes the illusory nature that binds beings in existence and can lead to various transformations and experiences.[1] (2) Describes the complex and mysterious attributes of Maya, which confound and delude even the most knowledgeable beings.[2] (3) The elusive and deceptive nature of reality that causes beings to experience delusion.[3]
From: Bhagavata Purana
(1) The illusory power that deludes beings into a false understanding of reality, leading them to misconceptions about existence.[4] (2) The essence or characteristics of the illusion or power that creates the perception of duality and separation in existence.[5]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) Refers to the illusion or deceptive appearance of the material world, which deludes beings from realizing their true selves.[6]
From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha
(1) The nature of Maya is the underlying illusion of the universe that causes the cycles of birth and death; it is central to understanding the relations between Atma and the cosmos.[7]
From: Haribhakti-sudhodaya
(1) The illusory power that binds souls to the material world, leading them away from spiritual truths.[8] (2) The illusory nature of the material world that distracts and deludes the individual from true spiritual realization.[9] (3) The illusory world or existence that distracts beings from realizing the ultimate truth of God.[10]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad
(1) Maya is described as the nature of darkness (Tamas) and is considered insentient, or ignorant. It appears as if it is one with the Self, showing both being and non-being in its manifestations.[11]
From: Bhagavatpadabhyudaya by Lakshmana Suri (study)
(1) Maya is considered to be beginningless, endless, unthinkable, and inexpressible, playing a significant role in concealing the true reality of Brahman.[12]