# माया (māyā)

Canonical page: https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/maya

माया (māyā) is a Sanskrit word meaning measuring, creating illusions, art, wisdom, or extraordinary power, illusion, unreality, deception, or fraud, sorcery or witchcraft, an illusory image, phantom, or apparition. Its 48 recorded definitions are grouped into 13 contexts, among them Proper Nouns (Persons, Places, Named Entities), Divine Power/Personification/Mythological Figure, Art, Wisdom, Supernatural Power (Vedic/Primary Sense).

- **Roots:** 3. मा (3. mā), 1. मा (1. mā)
- **SLP1:** `mAyA`  **IAST:** māyā  **Devanagari:** माया
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_%28religion%29
- **Declensions:** 24 forms — https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/maya/declensions.md
- **Other headwords romanised the same way:** माय (māya), मया (mayā), मय (maya)

## Meanings by context

### Proper Nouns (Persons, Places, Named Entities) (11 definitions)
- the mother of Gautama Buddha  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > N. of the mother of Gautama Buddha, Monier-Williams’ Buddhism in its connexion with Brāhmaṇism and Hindūism: and in its contrast with Christianity (Title) 24 [ ID=163090 ]
- of Lakshmi  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > of Lakṣmī, Horace H. Wilson, author of first Sanskrit-English dictionary in 1819 (Author) [ ID=163091 ]
- of a city  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > of a city, Catalogue(s) [Cologne Addition] (Title) [ ID=163092 ]
- of two meters  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > of 2 metres, Colebrooke (Author) [ ID=163093 ]
- the name of two Samans  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > du. ( माये इन्द्रस्य (māye indrasya) ) N. of 2 Sāmans, Ārṣeya-brāhmaṇa (Title) [ ID=163094 ]
- the mother of Buddha  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 0861-a ] माया (māyā) [ मा - यः बा (mā-yaḥ bā) ° नेत्वम् (° netvam) ] 9 N. of the mother of Buddha
- the city of Gaya  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 0861-a ] माया (māyā) [ मा - यः बा (mā-yaḥ bā) ° नेत्वम् (° netvam) ] 12 N. of the city Gayā
- Lakshmi  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 0861-a ] माया (māyā) [ मा - यः बा (mā-yaḥ bā) ° नेत्वम् (° netvam) ] 13 N. of Lakṣmī
- the mother of Buddha  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — देवी (devī) N. of the mother of Buddha. ° सुतः (°sutaḥ) Buddha
- not available  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 477-1 ] Māyā (?). § 10 (Parvasaṅgr.): I, 2, 352 (see Durvāsaḥ- saṃvāda, but cf. also Umā-Maheśvara-saṃvāda: XIII, 140 ff.). [ ID=7259 ]
- 1. One of the seven great cities. 2. Sacred to Kumari and the ancestors.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Māyā(purī) — also Māyā, one of the seven great cities; 1 sacred to Kumārī and to Pitṛs. 2 [ Footnote: 1) Br. IV. 40. 91.] [ Footnote: 2) M. 13. 34; 22. 10.] [ ID=10667 ]

### Divine Power/Personification/Mythological Figure (7 definitions)
- creating illusions  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > creating illusions (said of Viṣṇu), Mahābhārata (Title) [ ID=163077 ]
- one of the nine Shaktis or energies of Vishnu according to Vaishnavas  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (with Vaiṣṇavas) one of the 9 Śaktis or energies of Viṣṇu, Lexicographers, esp. such as Amarasiṃha, Halāyudha, Hemacandra, etc. (Author) [ ID=163086 ]
- personified illusion  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > Illusion personified (sometimes identified with Durgā, sometimes regarded as a daughter of Anṛta and Nirṛti or Nikṛti and mother of Mṛtyu, or as a daughter of Adharma), Purāṇas (Literary category) [ ID=163087 ]
- a daughter of Adharma  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Māyā (II) — a daughter of Adharma. Bhā. IV. 8. 2. [ ID=10658 ]
- 1. Yogamaya. 2. A mind-born mother. 3. A shakti.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Māyā (III) — is Yogamāyā; a mind-born mother; 1 from the heart of Narasimha; 2 a śakti. 3 [ Footnote: 1) Bhā. X. 2. 12; M. 179. 21.] [ Footnote: 2) Ib. 179. 64.] [ Footnote: 3) Br. II. 26. 9, 29; IV. 6. 53; 12. 21 & 49; 44. 62; Vā. 24. 86.] [ ID=10659 ]
- 1. A daughter of Maya. 2. The wife of Bhayam and mother of Mrityu. 3. The helpmate of Varahavishnu.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Māyā (IV) — a daughter of Maya; 1 wife of Bhayam and mother of Mṛtyu; 2 helpmate of Vārāhaviṣṇu. 3 Page2-689+ 27 [ Footnote: 1) Br. II. 9. 64.] [ Footnote: 2) Vā. 10. 40.] [ Footnote: 3) Br. I. 5. 19.] [ ID=10660 ]
- 1. Atimohini 2. Trigunatmaka  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Māyā (VII) — (Vaiṣṇavī): Atimohini and Triguṇāt- maka. Vi. V. 21. 1; 30. 14-9. [ ID=10663 ]

### Art, Wisdom, Supernatural Power (Vedic/Primary Sense) (5 definitions)
- art, wisdom, or extraordinary power  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H2) [Printed book page 811,1] माया (māyā) b f. art, wisdom, extraordinary or supernatural power (only in the earlier language) [ ID=163081 ]
- Extraordinary power or wisdom  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 0861-a ] माया (māyā) [ मा - यः बा (mā-yaḥ bā) ° नेत्वम् (° netvam) ] 10 Ved. Extraordinary power, wisdom ( प्रज्ञा (prajñā) )
- 1. Marvellous power. 2. Artifice, trick, or deceit. 3. Witchcraft or jugglery. 4. An illusory image or phantom. 5. Cosmic illusion. 6. An epithet of Durga.  
  *Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 226-1 ] माया (māyā) mā-yā́, f. art, marvellous power ( V. ); artifice, device, trick; deceit, fraud; jugglery, witchcraft; illusory image, phantom; illusion ( in the Vedānta = the power which causes the world to appear as really existent and distinct from the universal soul ): —°, phantom in the shape of; °—, phantom, illusory, unreal; disguised; ep. of Durgā; Fraud ( personified as a daughter of Anṛta and Adharma ). [ ID=14061 ]
- art, supernatural power, trick, deceit, sorcery, illusion, or phantom  
  *Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 408 ] माया (māyā) f. art, supernatural or wonderful power, wile, trick, deceit, sorcery, illusion, phantom, unreality (ph.); °— being only in appearance, a feigned or phantom —( cf. seq. ). [ ID=24656 ]
- 1. A wonderful power or wile. 2. A trick or illusion.  
  *Lanman's Sanskrit Reader Vocabulary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 216-a ] māyā́, f. —1. (a working, and so ) a power; esp., in Veda, supernatural or wonderful power; wile; —2. later, trick; illusion. [ √1mā, ‘make, i. e. have effect, work,’ 1149, cf. 258. ] [ ID=3245 ]

### Miscellaneous Specific Meanings (Flora, Fauna, Substance, Quality) (4 definitions)
- Convolvulus Turpethum  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > Convolvulus Turpethum, Lexicographers, esp. such as Amarasiṃha, Halāyudha, Hemacandra, etc. (Author) [ ID=163089 ]
- Wickedness  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 0861-a ] माया (māyā) [ मा - यः बा (mā-yaḥ bā) ° नेत्वम् (° netvam) ] 7 Wickedness
- the essence milked by the Asuras from the cow-earth  
  *The Purana Index*
  > [Printed book page 2-689 ] Māyā (V) — the essence milked by the Asuras from the cow-earth. M. 10. 21. [ ID=10661 ]
- represents the lips of the Vedas and makes varied qualities and forms  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Māyā (VIII) — represents the lips of the Vedas, 1 makes different varieties of and varied guṇas with śīlas. 2 [ Footnote: 1) Vā. 104. 75.] [ Footnote: 2) Ib. 104. 41.] [ ID=10664 ]

### Philosophical/Cosmic Illusion (4 definitions)
- 1. Duplicity, as one of the minor evil passions in Buddhism. 2. Illusion, regarded in philosophy as the source of the visible universe.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > duplicity (with Buddhists one of the 24 minor evil passions), Dharmasaṃgraha (Title) 69 (in phil. ) Illusion (identified in the Sāṃkhya with Prakṛti or Pradhāna and in that system, as well as in the Vedānta, regarded as the source of the visible universe), Indian Wisdom, by Sir M. Monier-Williams (Title) 83; 108 [ ID=163084 ]
- The cosmic illusion by which the unreal universe appears as truly existent and separate from the Supreme Spirit.  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 0861-a ] माया (māyā) [ मा - यः बा (mā-yaḥ bā) ° नेत्वम् (° netvam) ] 5 (In Vedānta phil. ) Unreality, the ( pb ) illusion by virtue of which one considers the unreal universe as really existent and as distinct from the Supreme Spirit
- the Pradhana or Prakriti  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 0861-a ] माया (māyā) [ मा - यः बा (mā-yaḥ bā) ° नेत्वम् (° netvam) ] 6 (In Sān. phil. ) The Pradhāna or Prakṛti
- 1. Created by the Lord to form the world. 2. A source of bondage.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 2-688 ] Māyā (I) — created by the Lord with a view to creating the world; 1 Role of: source of bondage; 2 four characteristics of: its influence on jñāna: means to get rid of. 3 [ Footnote: 1) Bhā. I. 2. 30; III. 5. 25.] [ Footnote: 2) Bhā. XI. 11. 1-3; Vā. 94. 15.] [ Footnote: 3) Bhā. XI. 3. 1-33.] [ ID=10657 ]

### Grammar/Reference/Distinct Term (3 definitions)
- measuring  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H1) [Printed book page 811,1] मा (mā) य (māya) mfn. (√ 3. मा (mā) ) measuring (see धान्य - म् (dhānya-m) ° (°) ) [ ID=163076 ]
- See below.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H1B) [Printed book page 811,1] माया (māyā) a f. See below. [ ID=163078 ]
- See under māya.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872)*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 0772-b ] माया (māyā) māyā. See under māya, p. 771. [ ID=37120 ]

### Illusion, Deception, Unreality (General) (3 definitions)
- 1. Illusion, unreality, deception, or fraud. 2. Sorcery or witchcraft.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > illusion, unreality, deception, fraud, trick, sorcery, witchcraft magic, Ṛg-veda (Title) &c. &c. [ ID=163082 ]
- Deceit, fraud, trickery, or artifice  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 0861-a ] माया (māyā) [ मा - यः बा (mā-yaḥ bā) ° नेत्वम् (° netvam) ] 1 Deceit, fraud, trick, trickery; a device, an artifice; Pañcatantra (Bombay) 1. 359
- 1. Trick, illusion, or deceit. 2. An illusory image or phantom. 3. Political diplomacy. 4. Wickedness. 5. The Pradhana in Sankhya philosophy. 6. The Vedantic illusion separating the supreme spirit and the universe. 7. Pity or compassion. 8. The name of the mother of Buddha.  
  *Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 569-27 ] माया (māyā) f. 1. Trick, illusion, artifice, deceit; 2. an illusory image, a phantasm, a phantom, माया (māyā) ं मयोद्भाव्य परीक्षितोऽसि (māyāṃ mayodbhāvya parīkṣito'si) R. ii.62, Bt. xvii.107; 3. political artifice, diplomacy; 4. wickedness; 5. the Pradhāna of the Sānkhyas (q.v.); 6. illusion which makes one see the supreme spirit and the universe to be two distinct realities (in Vedānta phil.); 7. pity, compassion.; 8. name of the mother of Buddha. [ ID=29985 ]

### Compassion, Pity (2 definitions)
- compassion  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > compassion, sympathy, Lexicographers, esp. such as Amarasiṃha, Halāyudha, Hemacandra, etc. (Author) [ ID=163088 ]
- Pity, compassion  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 0861-a ] माया (māyā) [ मा - यः बा (mā-yaḥ bā) ° नेत्वम् (° netvam) ] 8 Pity, compassion

### Deceptive/Magical Qualities, Persons, Actions (2 definitions)
- acting deceitfully  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — आचर (ācara) a. acting deceitfully
- skilled in deception or magical arts  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — विद् (vid) a. skilled in deception or magical arts

### Illusory Image, Phantom (2 definitions)
- an illusory image, phantom, or apparition  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > an unreal or illusory image, phantom, apparition, in the same place [Cologne Addition] (Title) ( esp. ibc. = false, unreal, illusory; cf. comp. ) [ ID=163083 ]
- An illusion, phantom, or unreal image.  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 0861-a ] माया (māyā) [ मा - यः बा (mā-yaḥ bā) ° नेत्वम् (° netvam) ] 3 (Hence) An unreal or illusory image, a phantom, illusion, unreal apparition; माया (māyā) ं मयोद्भाव्य (māyāṃ mayodbhāvya) परीक्षितोऽसि (parīkṣito'si) Raghuvaṃśa (Bombay) 2. 62; विकृतिः किन्नु (vikṛtiḥ kinnu) भवेदियं नु माया (māyā) (bhavediyaṃ nu māyā) Kirātārjunīya 13. 4, Raghuvaṃśa (Bombay) 12. 74; oft. as the first member of comp. in the sense of ‘false’, ‘phantom’, ‘illusory’; e. g. माया (māyā) वचनं (māyāvacanaṃ) false words; माया (māyā) मृग (māyāmṛga) &c

### Political Artifice, Statecraft (2 definitions)
- A political trick or artifice  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 0861-a ] माया (māyā) [ मा - यः बा (mā-yaḥ bā) ° नेत्वम् (° netvam) ] 4 A political trick or artifice, diplomatic feat
- one of the kingly expedients  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Māyā (VI) — one of the kingly upāyas. M. 222. 2. [ ID=10662 ]

### Specific Sectarian Doctrines/Concepts (2 definitions)
- one of the four snares that entangle the soul  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (with Śaivas) one of the 4 Pāśas or snares which entangle the soul, Sarvadarśana-saṃgraha (Title); Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary, 1st edition with marginal notes (Title) [ ID=163085 ]
- One of the four snares that entangle the soul according to Shaivism  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 0861-a ] माया (māyā) [ मा - यः बा (mā-yaḥ bā) ° नेत्वम् (° netvam) ] 11 (With Śaivas) One of the four snares ( पाश (pāśa) ) which entangle the soul

### Magic, Sorcery, Enchantment (Practice) (1 definition)
- Jugglery, witchcraft, enchantment, or magic illusion  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > माया (māyā) [Printed book page 0861-a ] माया (māyā) [ मा - यः बा (mā-yaḥ bā) ° नेत्वम् (° netvam) ] 2 Jugglery, witchcraft, enchantment, an illusion of magic; स्वप्नो नु माया (māyā) नु मतिभ्रमो नु (svapno nu māyā nu matibhramo nu) Śakuntalā (Bombay) 6. 9

## Sources

Definitions from Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Index to the Names in the Mahabharata; Lanman's Sanskrit Reader Vocabulary; Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872); Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899); The Purana Index; Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary.
Text from the Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, University of Cologne.

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