Why Maya Devi is your nourisher, not an illusion!
Once upon a time, Bhagvan Shiva roasts Ma Parvati telling her that this material world & the food that nourishes it, are all a fake illusion or “Maya.”
Parvati, who stands for the Prakriti aspect of God, making all of natural creation possible, just disappears to teach her homeboy a lesson.
Suddenly, the whole world plunges into a famine with everyone, including the Devtas, starving in hunger. Shiva follows Parvati to Kashi, where she becomes Goddess Annapurna, the giver of food.
Shiva humbly holds out a begging bowl, Bhiksham Dehi, admitting that while the pure absolute consciousness or spirit is ultimate, the Maya that is the creative power, is very necessary for growing & sustaining all of existence.
This story gives us a very different POV of the word “Maya” which has become a negative word & concept in modern language. For e.g., we say “Ye sab kuch Moha Maya hai” but actually, Maya is why you exist.
The word itself means the creative power of the infinite cosmic painter we call the Brahman, which becomes finite to express Its overwhelming love on the canvas of this material world, not because It needs to, but purely for the sake of Lila - God’s divine play, sport or game.
Different sects, sampradayas & philosophical schools see Maya differently. Advaitins approach it like a veil or cloud that hides & conceals the true reality of our Self. The Vishishtadvaitas see it as God’s wonderful physical power.
Shaktas see it as Mahamaya - the Great Goddess & Divine Mother who both binds you to this world, but also frees & liberates you with her grace.
The Kashmir Shaivas see it as Shiva’s joyous & real manifestation, with him specifically taking on 5 qualities such as time, desire & space to give us an experience of being separate travellers & voyagers in this void.
Vaishnavas see it as Yogamaya - Narayana’s mystical energy that allows his children to interact with Him in loving, intimate relationships as a friend, child or lover, rather than being awe-struck & paralysed with his Absolute Form.
But ultimately, the point is that Maya is not suffering or its cause - it is the same force that makes you forgetful & ignorant, but also becomes your path towards real knowledge & freedom.