[Advaita-l] Maya and Avidya

[V Subrahmanian]

On Thu, Sep 17, 2020 at 10:48 AM Shrinivas Gadkari via Advaita-l <
advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:

> Namaste,
>
> A simpler explanation of these terms for those who may be interested:
>
> mAyA : A key to deciphering the (possible) original meaning of this word
> can be found in local Indian languages. For example, in Marathi, this word
> means "motherly love". In-fact word mAya or mAyI means mother.
> Ishvara's involvement in/ with the world in out of motherly love, mAyA.
> Hence this worldly involvement does not lead to any binding karma.
>

In a way, this theory finds approval in the Panchadashi.  It says 'Ishwara
srishti (involving Maya) is not binding.  On the other hand, is useful (for
moksha sadhana).  Jiva srishti (involving avidya) is binding.  The example
given is: Ishwara creates a female body, a maamsa maya stree. But the jiva
sees her in so many ways, mother, sister, wife, daughter, etc. etc. all
these are manomaya stree-s.  The former is innocent, the latter is binding.

regards
subbu

>
> On the other hand, jIva-s involvement in world is mixed with "incorrect
> understanding of things = avidyA" to a larger or lesser extent. This
> involvement in worldly affairs, to the extent it is rooted in avidyA,
> leads to binding karma.
>
> Hence the emphasis of overcoming avidyA with vidyA, jnAna, vijnAna.
> Hence the repeated claims that avidyA is the cause of all sorrow.
>
> Regards,
> Shrinivas Gadkari
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