In Advaita Vedanta, the ego, referred to as Ahankara in Sanskrit, derives from ‘aham’ meaning ‘I’ and ‘kara’ meaning ‘maker’ or ‘doer’. This ego is born from the reflections of pure consciousness (Atman) in the mind under the influence of ignorance (avidya). It creates a false sense of individuality by identifying with the body, mind, and personal experiences. This identification and subsequent attachment to the transient aspects of life perpetuate the illusion of a separate self, obscuring the true nature of Atman as non-different from Brahman.
The ego identifies the Self with:
- The physical body: Leading to attachment to physical attributes, appearance, and health.
- The mind: Associating the self with thoughts, emotions, memories, and intellectual capabilities, generating a sense of mental and emotional identity.
- Personal experiences: Accumulating experiences and reinforcing its identity through likes and dislikes, desires and aversions, successes, and failures.
Maya, meaning illusion or magic, is like a magical power that creates the illusion of the world we see around us. It makes temporary and constantly changing things seem real and lasting, hiding the true nature of Brahman, the ultimate reality.
Maya operates through three fundamental qualities called Gunas:
- Sattva: Responsible for clarity, knowledge, and harmony.
- Rajas: Responsible for change and desire.
- Tamas: Responsible for ignorance and confusion.
These gunas mix in various proportions to create the diversity and complexity of the world.
The interplay between ego and maya is profound. While avidya gives rise to the ego, maya sustains it by creating the illusion of a diverse and separate world. The ego, influenced by the gunas, interacts with this illusory world, further reinforcing its sense of individuality and separateness. This cycle of interaction and reinforcement keeps the individual trapped in the illusion of maya, unable to perceive the true nature of reality. By gaining self-knowledge and dispelling ignorance, we can lift the veil of maya, dissolve the false sense of individuality, and realise our true nature.
Further Reading
- Mahadevan, T. M. P. (1938). The philosophy of Advaita.
- Realising One´s Self
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