48. Maya (Illusion): Superimposition of Chetana on Achetana

In Vedanta School of philosophy we are regarded as Atman. But our nature of Atman is made unknown to us by Maya.

What is this Maya????

Maya is a power which has two dimensions:

1. Avarana Shakti (Veiling Power)
2. Vikshepa Shakti (Projecting Power)

This dual power of Maya acts on us simultaneously. With its power of veiling it keeps the truth that we are Atman away from us and makes us ignorant of our original nature and through its projecting power we are mesmerised as having name and form with mind and body concept. We start identifying with our body and mind not Soul.

Now which of it is Chetana (living) and Achetana (Non-Living)???

Atman is Chetana Vastu. It is eternal, does not decay. But our Body is Achetana Vastu it is perishable and subjected to decay as it is made of Pancha Maha Bhutas (Five Elements like: Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth) which are themselves Achetana.

What is Mind then?? Is it Chetana or Achetana?????

Mind is Achetana, but since it is in contact with a Chetana Vastu called Atman it gets superimposed to be a Chetana Vastu.

In the text Atma Bodha Sri Sri Shankara gives a beautiful example on how superimposition of characteristics takes place. Sri Sri Shankara points out the transformation of Red Hot Iron Ball. Iron ball is by nature black, and cold. And fire is clearly known to be red, and hot. When an iron ball is put into a furnace for some time, it is noticed that the black and cold iron ball is transformed into red and hot ball. With the association of fire the iron ball has acquired the redness and heat of fire. This transformation that has happened is not permanent once the iron ball is taken out of the furnace, the iron ball will retain its true nature of black and cold.

Similarly, if we look at the forests or a green paddy field we are made to believe that the earth is full of life but the fact is that the vegetation is full of life not earth. The life of vegetation is superimposed on the inert soil and this makes us feel the life in it. Likewise our mind which is Achetana becomes transformed into Chetana vastu and starts dominating the body.

Therefore we consider ourselves as limited individuals, and experience the problems, happiness, pain, fright, sense of insecurity etc. that is related to the body and the mind. While if we observe properly we can make out that it is the body mind complex that thinks, does action, enjoys and suffers and hence it is the doer and enjoyer, not the Atman. To distinguish between Chetana and Achetana we need to use Buddhi (Intellect) and this is Viveka (the human faculty of Discrimination).

Our purpose in the world, with this view, result in acquiring a commitment to get rewards or punishments for good or bad thoughts, words, and deeds respectively in future births. In the wake of enjoying and suffering of reward and punishment, we again connect ourselves in further transactions and gain further compulsions for the discharge of which we have to be born again and again. Thus, we are caught up in the cycle of births and deaths and enjoyment and suffering. This entanglement is because of “Maya.”