Something about the word Maya

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Something about the word Maya

The Word Maya is a very old word. It is a word from the Rig-veda, and thus

it is a word which can not be formed by Panini's grammar, like many other

words Agni etc. which have been listed in the Unadi Kosha. According to the

Unadi Kosha, which is prior to Panini's Ashtadhyayi, the word has been

derived from the verb "mA", adding suffix "ya" to it, and the feminine

suffix "A" (TAp). The verb "mA" means, 1. to measure, 2. to limit, 3. to be

contained in, 4. to create or make, 5. to build, to form, to construct, to

produce.

According to this derivation the word has to mean, 1. That which measures

(everything, i.e. is pervading everything), 2. That which limits everything,

3. That which contains in it everything, 4. that which creates everything,

5. That which builds etc. everything.

However, the Vedic Dictionary called Nighantu, which was composed by the

direct disciples of the Rishi's (Seers) of Rig-veda, lists the word Maya as

a synonym of cittaM, kratuH (which means saMkalpa), dhiH (intellect) and

prajnA (fine intellect).

However, I have also seen it being used in Rig-veda in the sense of chala,

chadma (deception), like Shankaracharya has said in his GitaBhasya, "kUTo

mAyA vaNcanA jihmatA kuTilatA iti paryAyAh" (these are synonyms).

However, one Mantra from Rig-veda seems to give it a similar meaning of

"Lila". See the following Mantra, "In the night the fire becomes the prime

Light for this world, and then again it arises in the form of the Sun in the

morning. Scholars know that this is all just the Maya of the radiant ones"

(8-4-11-1).

loving Regards,

Siddhartha