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Line 40: − − == Creation Involves both Ishvara and Maya == − Origin, continuance and dissolution of the world would result from ‘Isvara’ who is by nature eternal, pure, consciousness and free, as also omniscient and omnipotent.
→Creation Involves both Ishvara and Maya
Many Upanishads support the concept that Brahman (unconditioned) is the substratum for the universe (Kathopanishad 1.2.1, 2.2.8, Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 2.5.15, 4.4.17, Mundaka 2.2.2, Taittriya 3.10.3 and others).
Many Upanishads support the concept that Brahman (unconditioned) is the substratum for the universe (Kathopanishad 1.2.1, 2.2.8, Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 2.5.15, 4.4.17, Mundaka 2.2.2, Taittriya 3.10.3 and others).
== Creation Involves both Ishvara and Maya ==
Origin, continuance and dissolution of the world would result from ‘Isvara’ who is by nature eternal, pure, consciousness and free, as also omniscient and omnipotent. His rulership extends to the beings of the samsara which are bound by the limiting adjuncts conjured by Avidya.
Mundaka Upanishad refers to the analogy of spider producing the web to show the relationship between Brahman (as both the intelligent and material cause) and Jagat in the following lines<blockquote>यथोर्णनाभिः सृजते गृह्णते च यथा पृथिव्यामोषधयः संभवन्ति ।</blockquote><blockquote>यथा सतः पुरुषात् केशलोमानि तथाऽक्षरात् संभवतीह विश्वम् ॥ ७ ॥ (Mund. Upan. 1.1.7)<ref name=":0">Mundaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D See Mundaka 1 Khanda 1])</ref></blockquote>As a spider spreads out and withdraws (its thread), as on the earth grows the herbs, and as from the living man issues out hair on the head and body, so out of the Aksharam (Immutable) does the universe emerge.<ref name=":5">Swami Gambhirananda (1937) ''Eight Upanishads, Volume 2 (Aitareya, Mundaka, Mandukya and Karika, and Prasna) With the Commentary of Sankaracarya.'' Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama. (Pages 91-92)</ref>
Further, the Upanishad explains that the name and form arises from the Brahman in the following way<blockquote>यः सर्वज्ञः सर्वविद्यस्य ज्ञानमयं तापः । तस्मादेतद्ब्रह्म नाम रूपमन्नं च जायाते ॥ ९ ॥ (Mund. Upan. 1.1.9)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>From Him, who is omniscient and all-knowing, whose austerity is constituted by knowledge, evolves this (derived entity) Brahman (called as Hiranyagarbha), Name, Form and Food.<ref name=":5" />
== Maya as Prakrti ==
== Maya as Prakrti ==
Though inseparable from the Paramatma, when turned towards Him, she is called Vidya or Mahavidya, the Supreme Knowledge which leads a Jiva to Him (moksha). When turned away from Him, towards worldly aspects, she is called Avidya or Mahamaya, the Great Illusion (the lack of true knowledge) which permeates in the Mulaprakrti and remains inseparable from it.<ref name=":022" />
Though inseparable from the Paramatma, when turned towards Him, she is called Vidya or Mahavidya, the Supreme Knowledge which leads a Jiva to Him (moksha). When turned away from Him, towards worldly aspects, she is called Avidya or Mahamaya, the Great Illusion (the lack of true knowledge) which permeates in the Mulaprakrti and remains inseparable from it.<ref name=":022" />
== References ==
== References ==