Maya (Sanskrit: ????

) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes from the

root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[

4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp

lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a

s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]

Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi

ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]

According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an

earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean

ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]

According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]

Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac

y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su

ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe

r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr

om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[
4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]Maya (Sanskrit: ????) is a word with unclear etymology, probably comes fr
om the root "vma",[10][11][12] which means "to measure".[13][14]
According to Monier Williams, maya meant "wisdom and extraordinary power" in an
earlier older language, but from the Vedic period onwards, the word came to mean
"illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft and magic".[

4][7] However, P. D. Shastri states that the Monier Williams' list is a "loose d
efinition, misleading generalization", and not accurate in interpreting ancient
Vedic and medieval era Sanskrit texts; instead, he suggests a more accurate mean
ing of maya is "appearance, not mere illusion".[15]
According to William Mahony, the root of the word may be man- or "to think", imp
lying the role of imagination in the creation of the world. In early Vedic usage
, the term implies, states Mahony, "the wondrous and mysterious power to turn an
idea into a physical reality".[13][16]
Franklin Southworth states the word's origin is uncertain, and other possible ro
ots of maya include may- meaning mystify, confuse, intoxicate, delude, as well a
s may- which means "disappear, be lost".[17]
Jan Gonda considers the word related to ma, which means "mother",[10] as do Trac
y Pintchman[18] and Adrian Snodgrass,[12] serving as an epithet for goddesses su
ch as Lakshmi.[10][19] Maya here implies art, is the maker s power, writes Zimmer,
"a mother in all three worlds", a creatrix, her magic is the activity in the Wi
ll-spirit.[20]
A similar word is also found in the Avestan maya with the meaning of "magic powe
r".[21]