Maya Panchakam

As the name suggests, these 5 verses, were composed by Sri Adi Shankara  describing the magical qualities of Maya. Vedas, Upanishads, Gita etc.. give us an idea about the nature of Maya. As per Upanishads, the Inner-self , which is the witness for the three states of awakened state, dreamful and deep sleep is the true nature of the Self and everything else, which are bound to changes (time,space..) are all non-real or fake. Building up on this Upanishadic fact, Sri Acharya here enumerates the common mis-happenings , caused by this Maya, who is capable of making impossible things possible. Unless one has complete wisdom, he or she falls prey to this Maya and starts believing the illusive non-realistic (Vyavahaarika) world as real and gets struck in the world of materialism.

Nirupama Nithya Niramshake Api Akhande
Mayi Chithi Sarva Vikalpanadi Shoonye
Ghatayathi Jagadeesha Jeeva Bhedham
Tvadh Agaditha Ghatana Patiyasi Maya

Very beginning verse itself has been started gloriously with the core subject, described in the Upanishads - Jeveshwara Behdham or the difference between the Jeeva and the Ishwara. Upanishads declare that, all names and forms are all illusive (or transient). All the Naama Rupas are not permanent. The actual Brahman, remains untransitioned, while it assumes the from of Ishwara or God by it's association with Maya. The difference between Jeeva and Ishwara is that, Ishwara is well aware of the fact that, the name and form is illusive , while an ignorant Jeeva continues to believe that, his body, mind, senses etc... are true and believes on the illusive differences , which were created due to ignorance  Thus Acharya here addresses the very basic accident / confusion caused by Maya  which is the super-imposition of the differences between Ishwara and Jeeva. Supreme Brahmam, which undergoes no transition and is not affected by time and space is described here as Nirupama - Second-less  Nithya - Permanent, Niramshake - Attribute-less (Nirguna), and always Akande = Unpartitioned.

Sruthi Shatha Nigamantha Shodakan
Api Ahaha Dhanadi Nidarshanena Sadya:
Kalushayahti ChadushPada: Abhinnan
Tvadh Agaditha Ghatana Patiyasi Maya

Meaning:This verse elaborates how even a learned man would fall prey to maya, in the lust of money and power and would act no different from a four-legged animal. In spite of being learned, and being an expert in Vedas, Upanishads etc.. a Vipra or a Pundit becomes greedy and acts crazy like an animal. Such is the power of Maya, who can make impossible things happen.

Sukhachita Akhanda Vibhotham Advitheeyam
Viyadha Anala Dhivi Nirmithe Niyojya
Bramayathi Bhavasaagare Nithantham
Tvadh Agaditha Ghatana Patiyasi Maya

Meaning:Upanishads declare Self as  Pure Consciousness, which is indivisible(Akhanda), Non-dual and pure consciousness. But Maya  which can make impossible things possible makes, the Self whirl around the ocean of Bhava or materialism and associate itself with the created ones - Air, Land etc.. Upanishads declare that, the Brahman, manifested into the five principal elements etc.. with it's association of Maya  The true nature of the Self is the Supreme itself, but Maya is very tactful to super-impose the illusive differences over the true nature of the Self. This verse adds to the first one, by declaring that, the Self deviates from it's own true nature (Swaroopa Lakshanam) due to the magical powers of Maya.

Apagatha Guna Varna Jathi Bedhe
Sukhachithi Vipra  Vidadyahamkruthim cha
Sputayathi SuthaDhara GehaMeham
Tvadh Agaditha Ghatana Patiyasi Maya

Meaning:This verse addresses a very important issue caused by Maya - Caste or Varna differences. A true wise man would certainly identify those all as illusions. The differences based on caste and the feeling of pride one has thinking of one's own Varna etc.. are mere illusions.Similar are the passion or Moham  one has for one's own wife, kids etc.. The true nature of the Self is blissful and non-dual. oh! Maya you are capable of making impossible things possible.

Vidhi Hari Hara Vibhedham Api Akhande
Batha Virachayya Bhudhanapi Prakaamam
Bhramayahti Harai Hara Bedha Bhaava
Tvadh Agaditha Ghatana Patiyasi Maya

Meaning:Maya is very skillful in introducing and super-imposing the differences of Name and Form (Nama Roopa) on that Nirguna Brahman. The three gunas are the qualities of Prakruthi, which is Maya again. One Brahman, which is attribute-less is projected as Brahma,Vishnu and Shiva by the association of Maya. Thus the Shaiva-Vaishnava bhedams are mere illusions. It is that Brahman  which is veiled in those forms. But Maya, makes everyone believe those names and forms as true. Oh! Maya you are capable of  making impossible things possible.

Conclusion: Sri Acharya has addressed the major issues in our society like the caste difference, Shaiva-Vaishnava differences etc.. by declaring all of those as mere illusions. Now coming to the true nature of the Self - the super-imposed things like the mind, 5 senses, body are all considered true, although the true nature of the Self is pure bliss / pure consciousness. Thus realizing Maya and logical analysis of what is true and what is not (Neti Neti) as declared by Upanishads is the base for one's Spiritual life. Almost 3000 years ago Sri Acharyal addressed the issues of today's society precisely. Long live his glories!!