Concept of Maya in Advaita Vedanta

Concept of Maya in Advaita Vedanta

Author Name : Dr Alakananda Parida

ABSTRACT

Philosophers down the time, have debated about the nature of the ultimate reality and relationship between the Real and the phenomenal. Materialists construe ‘Matter’ as the primordial stuff and ‘consciousness’ as epiphenomenon whereas the Upanishadic thinkers take ‘consciousness’ as substantive; conceived as Brahman which is of the nature of pure-consciousness, Brahman which is transcendent and infinite, appears as the   phenomenal diversities because of its inherent potency (shakti) i.e. Maya. The phenomenal reality is misconstrued as rea (sat) because of Avidya (ignorance ) which is connotative of the limitations of the individual.Maya is macrocosmic whereas Avidya is microcosmic.  Cultivation of Knowledge (jnana) helps one realize the essential unity beneath apparent diversities whereof on gets liberated from the bondage or suffering. True knowledge is liberative and the highest state can be attained here and now through self-effort.

Key-words: (Mithya, Avidya, Avyakta, Epiphenomenon,Nirguna, Nama, Rupa,  Adhyasa, Viksepa, Avarana, Tadatmya)