MAyA, mAyAvi and mAyAvAda

[Guest guest]

Shankara's characterization of ‘Jagat' as ‘Jagat Mithya' was vehemently

opposed by the Dwaitans and Visistadwaitans. This opposition is quite

natural because we the human beings are emotionally attached to ‘Jagat.'

The Vaishnavas (Dwaitans and Visistadwaitas) called Advaita Philosophy

as ‘MAyAvAda,' a derogatory term to denounce Advaita and Shankara.

Shankara was called the MayAvAdan and was criticized for dismissing the

world as an illusion. This criticism neglects the philosophical

subtlety of the concept of mAyA in Advaita.

 

Since advaita upholds the identity of the individual Atman with Brahman,

a doubt naturally arises about the origin of the variegated universe.

The appearance of difference in the universe is explained to be due to

mAyA. In popular parlance, mAyA means illusion, and a magician or a

juggler is called a mAyAvI. Within Advaita, mAyA has a technical

significance as the creative power of Brahman, which also serves to

occlude, due to which the universe is perceived to be full of

difference, and the unity of Brahman is conceived.

 

The VaishNava schools have effectively propagated the term mAyAvAda and

have created enough confusion in the minds of Dwaitans and

Visistadwaitans including the students of Advaita!

 

Ram Chandran

Burke, VA

 

Note: Let me welcome Sri Nanyar once again on behalf of the list

members and we are looking forward to receive thoughtful postings.