Write a short note on Maya in Vishishtadvaita.

Maya in Vishishtadvaita, a prominent school of Vedanta philosophy, is understood as the divine power or energy of Brahman, the ultimate reality. Unlike the Advaita Vedanta interpretation, which often portrays Maya as illusory and ultimately unreal, Vishishtadvaita sees Maya as a real and inherent aspect of Brahman's creative power.

According to Vishishtadvaita, Maya is the divine potency through which Brahman manifests and sustains the universe. It is the means by which the infinite and transcendent Brahman becomes immanent in the world, facilitating the diversity and multiplicity of creation. Maya serves as the intermediary between the unmanifested Brahman and the manifested world, enabling the cosmic order (dharma) to unfold.

Maya in Vishishtadvaita is not regarded as a veil or illusion that obscures the true nature of reality but rather as the dynamic and creative energy that enables the manifestation of diverse forms and beings. It is seen as the divine instrument through which Brahman expresses its infinite attributes, qualities, and manifestations.

In essence, Maya in Vishishtadvaita emphasizes the harmony and interconnectedness of the manifested universe with the transcendent reality of Brahman. It underscores the divine play (leela) of creation, in which Maya acts as the creative force through which Brahman manifests its infinite glory and sustains the cosmic order.