LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
महारूपा महापूज्या महापातक-नाशिनी ।
महामाया महासत्त्वा महाशक्तिर् महारतिः ॥ ५४॥
Maharupa Mahapujya Mahapataka nashini Mahamaya Magasatva Mahashaktir Maharatih – 54
महामाया (215)
Mahamaya (215)
Meaning:
Devi creates and destroys the illusion (Maya) that makes us believe that this world is real and keeps us attached to it.
Interpretation:
In this Namah Maha means Great or something that is very large, enormous, and Maya means illusion. Devi, in the first part, creates an illusion that makes us believe that this world is real.
To the contrary it is not. The real truth is the Para Brahman which is Devi Herself. Those who make complete surrender before Devi will realize this - for, it is Devi who destroys that illusion from the minds of such devotees. Hence she is referred to as Mahamaya.
Maya is nothing but worldly illusion; the unreality and elusiveness of the universe, appearing as material and of distinct subsistence. In reality it is but the expanded spirituality of Brahman.
We find mention of the term Mahamaya in Chapter 1 of the Devi Mahatmyam.
When the demon twins Madhu and Kaitabh assume gigantic form and threaten Brahma, Brahma prays to Devi for protection and chants a hymn called Trantroka Ratri Suktam in which he addresses Devi as Mahamaya.
महाविद्या महामाया महामेधा महास्मृतिः ।
महामोहा च भवती महादेवी महासुरी ॥
While Devi Durga is generally understood to represent Mahamaya, Vaishnavites wish to differ and believe it is Goddess Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu) who is the Mahamaya. They quote the opening verse of Maha Lakshmi Ashtakam, a hymn forming part of Padma Purana and composed by Indra Deva :
नमस्तेस्तू महामाये श्रीपिठे सूरपुजिते ।
शंख चक्र गदा हस्ते महालक्ष्मी नमोस्तूते ॥
It is the Shiva Puranam that conclusively asserts that it's Devi Parvati / Maa Durga who is the Mahamaya.
The term was first used by Daksha Prajapati, father of Dakshyayani, another name of Devi Parvati. Reference to it is found in Chapter 12 of Shiva Puranam called - Daksha granted boon:
दक्ष उवाच ।
जगदेव महामाये जगदीशे महेश्वरि ।
कृपां कृत्वा नमस्तेस्तु दर्शितं स्ववपुर्मम ॥
After the conclusion of all the events that resulted in destruction of Daksha Yagna, Daksha seeks pardon and prays to Lord Shiva who is pleased at his worship and grants him boons.
Quote from Soundarya Lahari
गिरामाहुर्देवीं द्रुहिणगृहिणीमागमविदो
हरेः पत्नीं पद्मां हरसहचरी-मद्रितनयाम्
तुरीया कापि त्वं दुरधिगम-निस्सीम-महिमा
महामाया विश्वं भ्रमयसि परब्रह्ममहिषि
O Devi! You perplex the world by being the transcendent and unattainable entity called Maha Maya, who is of boundless splendor, and dazzles the world and gives life to it.
Mahamaya Temple temple dedicated to Goddess Durga and Maha Lakshmiis located at Ratanpur in Bilaspur District in Chhattisgarh and is one of the 52 Shakti perthas. The special feature of this temple is the twin idols of Mahamaya and Maha Lakshmi
Author's Notes:
The writer of this article opines that the term Mahamaya should be understood as all kinds / levels of illusions, the ultimate one being the clarity about illusion.
Just as the way Lord Shiva is seen putting his foot on the huddled dwarf, the demon Apasmara, the embodiment of ignorance, to subdue ignorance and allow it to coexist alongside knowledge, Devi also creates Illusion and allows it to exist. She destroys it from the minds of only a select few sadhakas, the true knowledge seekers.
Therefore Devi is called Mahamaya who is in complete control of all kinds of illusions and the ultimate clarity about illusion.
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