Maya x Prapancha

The two words you’ve given — “Maya” and “Prapancha” — are deeply rooted in Indian philosophy (especially Vedanta and related traditions).

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Maya (माया)

• Literally means illusion, appearance, or magic.
• In Vedantic philosophy, Maya is the cosmic illusion that makes the one ultimate reality (Brahman) appear as the diverse world.
• It is not “unreal” in the sense of non-existent, but “relatively real” (mithya) — it exists only until true knowledge (jnana) arises.
• Example: Like mistaking a rope for a snake in dim light — the snake is not ultimately real, but the experience feels real until corrected by knowledge.

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Prapancha (प्रपञ्च)

• Literally means the manifested world, the cosmos, worldly life.
• It refers to the phenomenal universe of names, forms, and experiences — all the diversity we perceive.
• In Advaita Vedanta, Prapancha is considered the manifestation of Brahman under the influence of Maya.
• It is the “worldly existence” that keeps individuals entangled in cycles of birth and death (samsara).

🔹 Relationship between Maya & Prapancha

• Maya is the power, and Prapancha is its product.
• Maya projects the illusion; Prapancha is the illusory, ever-changing universe that results.
• Realization of the Self (Atman = Brahman) leads one to see Prapancha as transient and non-ultimate.

👉 In short:

• Maya = the cosmic illusion or power that veils reality.
• Prapancha = the illusory, manifested world that we experience under the spell of Maya.

Would you like me to also explain how Maya and Prapancha are viewed differently in Advaita vs. Dvaita vs. Vishishtadvaita Vedanta?