How To Overcome Maya

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How To Overcome Maya

WHY does not man's mind dwell on God ? More powerful than God is His

Mahamaya, His power of Illusion. God has covered us all with his maya. He is

near, still it is not possible for us to see Him or know His ways.

Once Narada besought the Lord of the Universe : " Lord, show me that maya of

Thine, which can make the impossible possible." The Lord nodded assent.

Sometime later, so the Puranic story goas, the Lord went out with Narada.

After covering some distance, he felt thirsty. Narada went away in quest of

water.

Finding no water nearby, he proceeded far from the place and saw a river at

a great distance. He beheld sitting on the river bank a most charming young

lady. He was captivated by her beauty. She began to address him in sweet

words and ere long, he fell in love with her. He then married her and

settled down as a house-holder.

In due course, he had a number of children by her. He was thus living with

his wife and children happily for sometime. Soon a pestilence came to the

country, death began to take its toll from every home. Narada proposed to

leave the place and go to a safe place. His wife agreed. They left their

home, leading their children by hand. But, no sooner had they come to the

bridge to cross the river than came a terrible flood and in the rush of

water all his children were swept away, one after another. His wife too was

drowned.

Overwhelmed with grief Narada sat down on the river bank and began to weep

piteously. Just then, the Lord appeared and said, " Narada, where is the

water ? Why are you weeping? "The sight of the Lord startled the sage. He

soon realised everything.

He exclaimed, " Lord, my obeisance to Thee, and my obeisance to Thy

wonderful maya." So, everyone is under the spell of this world bewitching

maya. This maya is like a cloud. The sun cannot be seen on account of this

screen of the cloud. When the clouds disappear, one sees the sun. If by the

grace of the Guru one's ego vanishes, then one sees God.

 

(Adopted from the Book Pearls of Wisdom by His Holiness Swami Kesavaiahji)