Maya is often described as a veil or a curtain that obscures our perception of the true nature of reality. It is the illusion of duality, which creates the perception of a separate self and the external world. According to Advaita Vedanta, the ultimate reality is a single, unchanging, and infinite consciousness called Brahman. Maya causes us to perceive the world as separate from Brahman, and to see ourselves as separate individuals, rather than as a part of the ultimate reality.
Maya is caused by Avidya, which is the ignorance of one's true nature. Avidya is the state of not knowing oneself as identical with the ultimate reality, Brahman. It is the root cause of all suffering and the cycle of reincarnation. The goal of Advaita Vedanta is to transcend Maya, to see through the illusion of duality, and to realize the true nature of reality, which is Brahman.
Maya also plays a significant role in the Indian society, as it is the foundation for the caste system and the social hierarchy. According to Advaita Vedanta, the caste system is an illusion created by Maya, which divides people into different categories based on birth. The caste system is based on the idea that one's social status is determined by one's actions in past lives. Advaita Vedanta posits that all individuals are equal and that the caste system is an illusion that needs to be transcended.
In conclusion, Maya is a central concept in Advaita Vedanta, which refers to the illusion or the perceived reality that we experience in our everyday lives. It is the illusion of duality, which creates the perception of a separate self and the external world. Maya is caused by Avidya, which is the ignorance of one's true nature. The goal of Advaita Vedanta is to transcend Maya, to see through the illusion of duality, and to realize the true nature of reality, which is Brahman. Understanding the concept of Maya is important to understand the Indian philosophical systems and its impact on the society.
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