The One Knowledge Is Indivisible, Yet the Dependent Jiva Is Not the Independent Lord
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 76
Doha 79 · Movement 1 of 2
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As Bhushundi entertains this thought, maya spreads by Raghupati's inspiration. It does not bind him in samsara as it binds other beings, yet it serves another purpose, and the crow asks Garuda to listen carefully to the distinction it reveals.
Knowledge is one, unbroken, and eternal, as the Lord of Sita is one. Still, moving and unmoving beings live under maya's power. If realization were equally present in every one, what meaningful distinction could remain between Ishvara and the jiva?
The proud jiva is governed by maya, while maya herself is governed by the Lord. The jiva is dependent; Bhagavan is free. Jivas are many, while Shrikanta is one. This difference is fashioned within maya and therefore not ultimate, yet it cannot be dissolved by millions of self-powered efforts without Hari's grace. Advaita does not become a slogan by which the bound individual declares the Lord unnecessary. Nonduality flowers through the grace that ends the very pride making such a declaration.
The wave and ocean are not two in essence, yet only the ocean commands the storm beneath which the wave imagines itself alone.
Read the passage from the Manas
एतना मन आनत खगराया। रघुपति प्रेरित ब्यापी माया।। सो माया न दुखद मोहि काहीं। आन जीव इव संसृत नाहीं।। नाथ इहाँ कछु कारन आना। सुनहु सो सावधान हरिजाना।। ग्यान अखंड एक सीताबर। माया बस्य जीव सचराचर।। जौं सब कें रह ग्यान एकरस। ईस्वर जीवहि भेद कहहु कस।। माया बस्य जीव अभिमानी। ईस बस्य माया गुनखानी।। परबस जीव स्वबस भगवंता। जीव अनेक एक श्रीकंता।। मुधा भेद जद्यपि कृत माया। बिनु हरि जाइ न कोटि उपाया।।
As soon as this thought arose in Garuda's mind, Maya spread everywhere by the will of Raghupati. That Maya does not cause me any suffering, nor am I bound in samsara (worldly existence) like other beings. O Lord, there is another reason here. Listen to it carefully, O Harijana (knower of Hari's heart). Jnana (knowledge) is one, indivisible, and eternal, just as Sitapati (Sita's Lord) is. All moving and non-moving beings are under Maya's control. If knowledge remains uniform for all, then how can there be any difference between Ishvara (God) and the jiva (individual soul)? The jiva is under Maya's control and full of abhimana (ego), while Maya herself is under the command of God, the repository of all virtues. The jiva is dependent, while Bhagavan is independent. Souls are many, but Shrikanta (the Lord) is one. Though this difference is illusory, created by Maya, it cannot be removed without Hari's grace, even by millions of efforts.