When Maya Touches the Great, the Sages Worship the Lord of Maya
Uttara Kanda, Doha 63
Doha 63 · Movement 2 of 2
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Garuda is the crest-jewel of wise devotees, personally known to the Lord of the three worlds. If even he can be touched by delusion, what ground remains for an ordinary mortal to stand upon and boast of immunity?
The second movement widens the vision. Maya can bewilder Shiva and Brahma. Who else, however accomplished, can claim to remain beyond its reach through personal power alone? The teaching cuts spiritual pride at its root without scorning knowledge or devotion.
Knowing this inwardly, sages worship Bhagavan, the Master of maya. Humility is not despair about the possibility of freedom. It is freedom from the fantasy that the separate doer commands the forces that veil and unveil perception. Garuda's crisis becomes a mirror for every seeker who mistakes one clear insight for permanent invulnerability. The wise respond by turning again toward the Lord, not by placing a crown upon their own understanding.
The sages do not boast that maya cannot touch them; they bow to the One before whom maya itself must bow.
Read the passage from the Manas
ग्यानि भगत सिरोमनि त्रिभुवनपति कर जान। ताहि मोह माया नर पावँर करहिं गुमान।।62(क)।। सिव बिरंचि कहुँ मोहइ को है बपुरा आन। अस जियँ जानि भजहिं मुनि माया पति भगवान।।62(ख)।।
He who is the crest-jewel of wise devotees, recognized by the Lord of the three worlds. That one whom delusion and Maya affect. How vain are mere mortals! When Maya deludes even Shiva and Brahma, who else can claim immunity? Knowing this in their hearts, the sages worship the Lord of Maya, Bhagavan.