Teachings of Swami Vivekananda

[Guest guest]

Teachings of Swami Vivekananda

 

 

 

This theory of Maya has been the most difficult to understand in all ages. Le me tell you in a few words that it is surely no theory, it is the combination of the three ideas of Desha-kala-nimitta - space, time and causation - and this time and space and cause have been further reduced into Nama Rupa. Suppose there is a wave in the ocean. The wave is distinct from the ocean only in its form and name, and this form and this name have cannot have any separate existence form the wave; they exist only with the wave. The wave may subside, but the same amount of water remains, even if the name and form that were on the wave vanish for ever. So this Maya is what makes the difference between me and you, between all animals and man, between gods and men. In fact, it is this Maya that causes the Atman to be caught, as it were, in so many millions of beings, and these are distinguishable only through name and form. If you leave it alone, let name and form go, all this variety vanishes for ever, and you are what you really are. This is Maya. (III. 419-20.)

 

 

 

 

Source: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda.