[Advaita-l] While jiva is avidya-kruta adhyaropa, Ishwara is shaastra-kruta adhyaropa

[V Subrahmanian]

In Advaita, the jiva is a product of avidya and Ishwara is a product of
Maya.
कार्यकारणोपाधिभेदाज्जीवेश्वरभेदोऽपि दृश्यते । Tripaadvibhuti
Mahanarayanopanishat.
कार्योपाधिरयं जीवः कारणोपाधिरीश्वरः । Shuka rahasya upanishat.

Here kaarya means the body mind complex, the effect of the Trigunatmika
maayaa. And kAraNa refers to mAya/prakriti.  With body-mind complex as
Upadhi, the Pure consciousness Brahman, appears as the jiva.  With Maya as
upAdhi, the same Pure Consciousness Brahman appears as Ishwara.

While both are aupadhika, it is to be noted that the body-mind complex
identity is due to avidya and jivabhAva is thus a product of ignorance.
However, the Ishwara part is not to be seen so.  It is the Vedanta shAstra
that posits the concept of Ishwara with a view to help the jiva to evolve
gradually and realize the truth of its own true nature, Brahman. By
relating to that power called Ishwara, the jiva becomes pure in mind and
qualifies to know the Truth. Karma yoga and bhakti are possible only
towards Ishwara. All the Puranas and Itihasas and agamas talk about the
glory of Ishwara.  All this is an adhyAropa, deliberate positing, by the
shAstra.  The apavAda, negation, is done by the shAstra by point out that
the created world, including the body mind complex, is a product of pancha
bhutas, which, in turn are the products of mUla prakriti.  Thereby the
shAstra posit the concept of mUla prakriti, mAyA, too. And thereby 'create'
the concept of Ishwara.

A careful study of the Upanishads, the Bhagavatam, etc. along with the
Shankara and Sridhara Swamin's bhashya, etc. will reveal the above truth of
the jiva and Ishwara being aupAdhika.

warm regards
subbu