The idea of Maya pervades Indian philosophy. It is enigmatic, multivalent, and foundational, with its oldest referents found in the Rig Veda. This book explores Maya's rich conceptual history, and then focuses on the highly developed theology of Maya found in the Sanskrit Bhagavata Purana, one of the most important Hindu sacred texts. Gopal K. Gupta examines Maya's role in the Bhagavata's narratives, payingspecial attention to its relationship with other key concepts in the text, such as human suffering (dua kha), devotion (bhakti), and divine play (lA lA ). In the BhA gavata, MA yA is often identified as the divine feminine, and has a far-reaching influence. For example, MA yA is both the world and the means by which God creates the world, as well as the facilitatorof God's play, paradoxically revealing him to his devotees by concealing his majesty. While VedA nta philosophy typically sees MA yA as a negative force, the BhA gavata affirms that MA yA also has a positive role, as MA yA is ultimately meant to draw living beings toward Krishna and intensify their devotion to him.
