Abstract
The
concepts of Brahman, Atman, and Maya are central to the non-dualistic
philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, one of the major schools of Hindu thought.
Advaita, meaning "non-duality," asserts that the ultimate reality is
a singular, unchanging consciousness Brahman and that individual souls (Atman)
are not separate from this universal essence. Maya, the illusory power of the
world, creates the perception of duality and separateness, causing the soul to
identify with the material world and its transient experiences. This article
explores the philosophical foundations of Brahman, Atman, and Maya, examining
their interrelationship, the illusory nature of separateness, and the path to
spiritual liberation through the realization of non-duality.
Keywords:
Brahman,
Atman, Maya, Advaita, Non-duality, Illusion of Separateness, Vedanta,
Self-realization, Oneness, Ultimate Reality.
The Nature of Brahman: The Ultimate Reality
Brahman
is the central concept of Advaita Vedanta, the philosophical system articulated
by Adi Sankaracarya and other prominent sages. In Advaita, Brahman is
understood as the absolute, unchanging reality underlying all of existence. It
is beyond any specific attributes and is not confined to the limitations of
space, time, or causality. It is nirguna (without attributes) and nirakara
(formless), transcending all distinctions.
The Taittiriya
Upaniṣad (2.1) famously states:
"Shantam,
sivam, advitiyam, brahma"
"Brahman is peace, auspiciousness, and the non-dual."
This
verse highlights the fundamental nature of Brahman as one without a second,
establishing its non-dual essence. Brahman is not an entity or being in the
ordinary sense but rather the singular, all-encompassing reality that is the
source and substratum of everything. As the highest truth, Brahman is the very
ground of existence, from which the entire universe emanates, and to which it
ultimately returns.
In the Chandogya
Upaniṣad (6.2.1), the essence of Brahman is expressed as:
"Tat
tvam asi"
"Thou art That."
This
famous Mahavakya (great saying) reveals the profound truth of non-duality. It
states that the individual self (Atman) is not separate from Brahman, the
ultimate reality. The implication is clear: the apparent separation between the
individual and the universe is a product of illusion, and in reality, all is
one.
Brahman
is pure consciousness, devoid of duality. It is the essence of everything -
existence, knowledge, and bliss (sat-chit-ananda). Unlike the world of
appearances, which is transient and impermanent, Brahman is eternal, immutable,
and all-pervading. To realize Brahman is to experience the unity of all things
and to transcend the limitations of the individual ego and worldly distinctions.
Atman: The Divine Self and Its Relationship
to Brahman
In
Advaita Vedanta, Atman is the individual self, the true essence of the person.
It is not the body, mind, or intellect but the deeper, unchanging consciousness
that resides within all living beings. Atman is often referred to as the jiva,
the embodied soul, and is considered to be of the same nature as Brahman -
essentially, Atman is Brahman in its manifested form.
The
Upaniṣads provide numerous insights into the nature of Atman. In the Bṛhadaraṇyaka
Upaniṣad (4.4.5), it is stated:
"Aham
brahmasmi"
"I am Brahman."
This
Mahavakya teaches that the individual self (Atman) is identical with Brahman.
It emphasizes the realization that the true nature of the self is not limited
to the personal ego or body but is one with the cosmic, infinite reality of
Brahman.
The
Kaṭha Upaniṣad (2.2.1) further elaborates on the distinction between the body
and the true self, stating:
"Na
jayate mriyate va kadachit"
"The Atman is never born and never dies."
This
verse asserts the immortality of the Atman. It cannot be harmed or destroyed
because it is beyond the reach of physical laws. The Atman is pure
consciousness, eternal and unchanging, and thus remains unaffected by the
fluctuations of the material world.
The
relationship between Atman and Brahman is crucial to understanding Advaita
philosophy. While the individual self (Atman) appears to be distinct from the
universal reality (Brahman) in the realm of perception, the ultimate truth
reveals that they are not separate. The apparent difference is due to the
illusion of separateness, created by the influence of Maya, which obscures the
true, non-dual nature of reality.
Maya: The Illusory Power of the World
Maya
is the concept that explains the apparent multiplicity and duality of the
world. In Advaita Vedanta, Maya is the illusory power that causes the infinite,
undivided reality of Brahman to appear as a world of separate entities, filled
with distinctions of name and form. Maya veils the true nature of reality,
making us perceive a world of change, multiplicity, and impermanence.
The Mandukya
Upaniṣad (1.2) states:
"Brahman
is the substratum of the world, and the world is only a projection of
Maya."
Maya
is often described as avidya (ignorance) or illusion because it distorts our
perception of reality. It is through Maya that the one undivided Brahman is
perceived as multiple objects, beings, and phenomena, creating the illusion of
separateness. This illusion makes us believe in the individual existence of
things and selves, when in truth, they are all expressions of the one Brahman.
In the Bhagavad
Gita (7.14), Krishna explains the power of Maya:
"Daivi
hy esa gunamayi mama maya duratyaya."
"This divine power of Mine, consisting of the three gunas (qualities),
is difficult to overcome."
Maya
operates through the three fundamental qualities (gunas) - sattva
(goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance)—which condition the mind and
perception. When the mind is influenced by these qualities, it becomes clouded,
and the true nature of Brahman remains hidden.
Maya
creates the perception of time, space, and causality, making the world seem
real and permanent. It is through the influence of Maya that we experience the
dualities of life: good and evil, pleasure and pain, birth and death. However,
Advaita Vedanta teaches that these distinctions are not ultimately real but are
mere projections of the mind under the sway of illusion.
Non-Duality (Advaita) – The Illusion of
Separateness
At
the heart of Advaita Vedanta is the doctrine of non-duality, which asserts that
there is no real distinction between Brahman, Atman, and the world. The
apparent differences we see are due to Maya, and when this illusion is dispelled,
the true nature of reality reveals itself as a unity.
The Vivekachudamani
of Sankaracarya famously states:
"Brahman
alone is real; the world is illusory; and the individual self (Atman) is none
other than Brahman."
This
teaching encapsulates the essence of Advaita: the individual self, the
universal self, and the world of phenomena are all expressions of the same
reality - Brahman. The perception of separateness, the belief that we are
distinct from the universe and other beings, is an illusion created by the mind
under the influence of Maya.
The Bhagavad
Gita (9.11) highlights the nature of this illusion:
"The
ignorant ones see Me as having a physical form, but I am beyond all form."
Krishna
reveals here that the perception of him as a separate form is an illusion. The
ultimate truth is formless, beyond the limitations of time, space, and
individuality. Similarly, the belief in the separateness of the self from the
universe is an illusion, and realizing the non-duality of Atman and Brahman is
the key to liberation.
The
illusion of separateness is reinforced by attachment to the body and the mind,
but through self-inquiry and meditation, one can come to realize the unity of
all existence. The teachings of Advaita Vedanta encourage the seeker to move beyond
the ego, transcend the dualities of the material world, and experience the
oneness of Brahman.
Realization of Non-Duality – The Path to
Liberation
In Advaita
Vedanta, the ultimate goal is the realization of non-duality—recognizing that
the individual self (Atman) is not separate from Brahman, and that all
distinctions between the self, the world, and the Divine are illusions created
by Maya.
The Maṇḍukya
Upaniṣad (1.3) teaches:
"The
wise man realizes that he is Brahman."
This
realization is known as mokṣa (liberation), the state of being free from the
cycle of birth and death (samsara). It is achieved through the direct
experience of the truth of non-duality, which is often referred to as jnana
(knowledge). This knowledge is not intellectual but experiential, attained
through the practice of self-inquiry (atma-vichara) and meditation.
By overcoming
the influence of Maya and realizing the oneness of Atman and Brahman, the
individual transcends the illusion of separateness. This liberation leads to a
state of supreme bliss, peace, and freedom from all forms of suffering.
Conclusion
The
non-dual philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, as encapsulated in the teachings on
Brahman, Atman, and Maya, offers a profound understanding of the nature of
reality. It teaches that the world of separateness and duality is an illusion
created by the power of Maya, and that the ultimate truth is the oneness of all
existence in Brahman.
Through
self-inquiry and meditation, one can overcome the illusion of separateness and
realize the inherent unity between the individual self and the ultimate
reality. This realization leads to spiritual liberation, where the individual
experiences peace, bliss, and freedom from the cycles of birth and death. The
teachings of Advaita offer timeless wisdom, inviting seekers to transcend the
ego and recognize their true nature as Brahman.
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