Cabinet of Curiosities

ranfuchs asked me about this and I replied but here is to anyone who is interested

I am not yet finished with presenting all the meanings of the word Maya, and I was about to make some sort of summary in the end, but here we go! Some basic core would be this Maya is repeatedly connected to fertility, birth and rebirth, creation, life and new life...and it is existing in various different cultures as a symbol of a divine mother. In herself Maya embodied all three aspects of the maternal trinity. Maya is one of those active powers: the constant movement of the universe, pervasive to the atomic level. Maya is a positive active force, and can be a mesh through which we perceive the ultimate reality of existence -- if we are not distracted by her magnificent creativeness and complexity. Hope I answered your question, I am still finding new things and thoughts about this and will write about them.

Maya is also the name of an Asura, who was the father-in-law of the Lord of Lanka, Ravana and the father of Mandodari. He is the archnemesis of Vishwakarma, the celestial architect of the Gods. His knowledge and skills are compatible with Vishwakarma. When Lanka was destroyed by Hanuman, it was the King of Demons, Maya, who had re-installed the beauty of that Island Kingdom.

In Hinduism, Maya is to be seen through, like an epiphany, in order to achieve moksha (liberation of the soul from the cycle of samsara). Ahamkar (ego-consciousness) and karma are seen as part of the binding forces of Maya. Maya may be understood as the phenomenal Universe of perceived duality, a lesser reality-lens superimposed on the unity of Brahman. The samskaras of perceived duality perpetuate samsara. Maya may also be visualized as a guise or aspect of the Divine Mother (Devi) concept of Hinduism. In the Hindu scripture Devi Mahatmyam, Maya covers Vishnu's eyes in Yoganidra (Divine Sleep) during cycles of existence when all is resolved into one. By exhorting Mahamaya to release Her illusory hold on Vishnu, Brahma is able to bring Vishnu to aid him in killing two demons, Madhu and Kaitabh, who have manifested as thoughtforms from Vishnu's sleeping form. Maya is a lesser reality that must be overcome so that one is able to realize their true Self.

well, I have been away for awhile so I have to get back in writing shape.
I wish you all the very best for this 2008.
There is a saying here, which I will try to translate the best way I can
SOME PEOPLE WAIT FOR THE NEW YEAR
OTHER ONES CREATE IT
So create, or keep creating!