T Ram Sewak

VIDYA MAYA

Shri Ram further elucidates the second form of Maya in Shri Ramcharitmanas (3.15):

" ek rachai jaakey, prabhu taakey"

"Vidya (knowledge) brings forth the creation and holds sway over the three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas). It works as directed by HIM and has no intrinsic power."

Vidya Maya is HIS creative potency, also called the Trigunatmika Maya (threefold), employing the three gunas under HIS guidance to manifest existence. Unlike Avidya Maya, it does not inherently cause any sorrow. Everything perceptible to our senses, including our bodies, is Vidya Maya. This declaration also finds reflection in Gita 9.10.

The Supreme's incarnation (avatar) always coexists with his creative potency (shakti); the Yogmaya and Shri Ramcharitmanas (1.1 and 2.123) illustrate Sitaji as this incarnate creative potency. This seamlessly introduces us to the profound concept of HIS Leela (the divine play).

Let's explore this through a simple analogy. This creation resembles a movie scripted by HIM, a manifestation of HIS playful self-expression. It encompasses both positive and negative aspects, akin to various sets in a film. Though tangible, they are unreal, for they are not what they appear to be this is Vidya Maya.

Further, the illusion of the actors for their characters, though unreal, makes the movie appear real. Under the spell of that illusion, the viewers get emotionally invested in the film. Only when it ends do they realise that they were invested for real in something unreal this is Avidya Maya.

Maya means 'that which is not'. HIS Leela blending Vidya and Avidya Maya makes the infinite appear finite, and the immortal appear mortal. As Shri Krishna affirms in Gita(7.15), we cannot understand this divine dimension of Maya because we are all encapsulated in its realm. We are all playing our roles in Vidya Maya while entangled in Avidya Maya, fulfilling the ultimate purpose of all HIS Leela: to help us realise the truth and

reunite with HIM. / DAILY WORLD /

Namami Ramam Musings-38

The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas. He can be occasionally reached at ramam.namami@gmail.com