02-11-2005, 01:29 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Panchadasi 6.197 says:
Another Sruti says that Isvara, the Lord of Maya, creates the universe, whereas the Jiva is controlled by Maya. So Isvara, associated with Maya, is the creator.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
There is absolutely no conflict of this statement with the earlier ones. For Ishwara is but the reflection of Brahman on Maya, just as jeeva is Brahman's reflection (chidabhasa) on Avidya. Ishwara controls maya, while jeeva is controlled by avidya.
Your statement that Ishwara, that is associated with maya is the Creator is not contrary to my earlier posting. Rephrasing it, Chid, reflected in Maya, assumes the work of Creation etc. The work is distributed as follows:
Srushti (Creation) is done by Brahma - who was created from Vishnu.
Sthithi (Maintenance) is the responsibility of Vishnu.
Samharam (constructive destruction) is done by Rudra.
Anugraham (Granting) is done by Ishwara.
Thirodhanam (Revoking) is done by Sadhashiva, or Mahamaya.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Isvara is both the Lord of Maya and has been created by Maya. Can both be true? Or is it a fancy way of saying that Brahman seems like Isvara when seen through Maya.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You have asked the question and also given the answer ji. When you say maya has 'Created' Ishwara, it is not a creation out of nowhere. Ishwara is manifestation of Consciousness, which is made possible only because of Maya. This Consciousness alone can be the master of Maya. As maya is insentient, it cannot recognize itself without the aid of PURUSHA (according to samkhya), or without Brahma-Chaithanya according to Vedanta. Terminology apart, both are the same.
Maya cannot Lord-over Ishwara as matter depends on Consciousness for it's existance. I hope I am wording it right.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Swami told me that those monks also reach high spiritual status but they stop when they feel the strong attraction of Brahman since they do not want the Advaita experience.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This is a digression, but the Swamiji's statement is very true. Maya's prabhaava is so strong that only the courageous venture into the unknown. Most of us are happy with the comfortable 'groove'. There is a term called 'abhinivesha' in samskrit. It means 'the wish to live', or 'holding on to life'. Patanjali says, that this Abhinivesham is one of the impediments to Yoga. Ppl are afraid to lose the Samsaram and attain Kaivalyam.
Remember Swami Vivekananda too screamed that he did not wish to die, and that he had his mother waiting for him at home when he first had 'THE Experience'? Arjuna was shaking with fear when he saw the Vishvaroopa Dharshanam. No philosophy is going to prepare you for what you see when you cross the border into the Nirvikalpa.
Another Sruti says that Isvara, the Lord of Maya, creates the universe, whereas the Jiva is controlled by Maya. So Isvara, associated with Maya, is the creator.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
There is absolutely no conflict of this statement with the earlier ones. For Ishwara is but the reflection of Brahman on Maya, just as jeeva is Brahman's reflection (chidabhasa) on Avidya. Ishwara controls maya, while jeeva is controlled by avidya.
Your statement that Ishwara, that is associated with maya is the Creator is not contrary to my earlier posting. Rephrasing it, Chid, reflected in Maya, assumes the work of Creation etc. The work is distributed as follows:
Srushti (Creation) is done by Brahma - who was created from Vishnu.
Sthithi (Maintenance) is the responsibility of Vishnu.
Samharam (constructive destruction) is done by Rudra.
Anugraham (Granting) is done by Ishwara.
Thirodhanam (Revoking) is done by Sadhashiva, or Mahamaya.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Isvara is both the Lord of Maya and has been created by Maya. Can both be true? Or is it a fancy way of saying that Brahman seems like Isvara when seen through Maya.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You have asked the question and also given the answer ji. When you say maya has 'Created' Ishwara, it is not a creation out of nowhere. Ishwara is manifestation of Consciousness, which is made possible only because of Maya. This Consciousness alone can be the master of Maya. As maya is insentient, it cannot recognize itself without the aid of PURUSHA (according to samkhya), or without Brahma-Chaithanya according to Vedanta. Terminology apart, both are the same.
Maya cannot Lord-over Ishwara as matter depends on Consciousness for it's existance. I hope I am wording it right.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Swami told me that those monks also reach high spiritual status but they stop when they feel the strong attraction of Brahman since they do not want the Advaita experience.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This is a digression, but the Swamiji's statement is very true. Maya's prabhaava is so strong that only the courageous venture into the unknown. Most of us are happy with the comfortable 'groove'. There is a term called 'abhinivesha' in samskrit. It means 'the wish to live', or 'holding on to life'. Patanjali says, that this Abhinivesham is one of the impediments to Yoga. Ppl are afraid to lose the Samsaram and attain Kaivalyam.
Remember Swami Vivekananda too screamed that he did not wish to die, and that he had his mother waiting for him at home when he first had 'THE Experience'? Arjuna was shaking with fear when he saw the Vishvaroopa Dharshanam. No philosophy is going to prepare you for what you see when you cross the border into the Nirvikalpa.