Maya

मय

Divine being. Also called Mayasura.

Maya is the great architect of the asuras and the father of Mandodari, Ravana's chief queen. He built the magical cave where the vanaras meet Svayamprabha.

Updated 30 Oct 20262 sources

RoleDivine being

ChildrenMandodari, Mayavi

Appears inRamayana

GroupOther beings

KingdomOther kingdoms

First appearsKishkindha Kanda, Sarga 51

Who was Maya?

In the Uttara Kanda Maya meets Ravana in the forest and gives him his daughter Mandodari in marriage, along with a spear of great power. In the Kishkindha Kanda, Svayamprabha explains that Maya built the golden city inside the Rikshabila cave.

In the Mahabharata, Maya also builds the magnificent assembly hall of the Pandavas.

In the Valmiki Ramayana

Maya appears in 2 sargas across 2 Kandas.

All 2 sargas

First appearsKishkindha Kanda · Sarga 51: Her Story

Kishkindha Kanda Uttara Kanda

4.51Her StoryKishkindha Kanda · Sarga 51 · स्वयंप्रभा की कथा 7.12Marriages in LankaUttara Kanda · Sarga 12 · लंका में विवाह

Maya's family

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MandodariChild MayaviChild

Often seen with Maya

Often appears withSvayamprabhaस्वयंप्रभा

Often appears withHanumanहनुमान

Often appears withRavanaरावण

Often appears withShurpanakhaशूर्पणखा

Often appears withKumbhakarnaकुंभकर्ण

More from Other beings

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Suketu

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Appears inRamayanaरामायण

ChildrenMandodariमंदोदरी Places & templesLankaलंका ChildrenMayaviमायावी