Where does “माया” come from?

माया (Hindi) comes from Sanskrit माया, from Sanskrit मा, from Proto-Iranian máH, from Proto-Indo-Iranian maH, from Proto-Indo-European meh₁ — prohibitive particle.

माया (Hindi): illusion, deceit; maya, the veil on reality;...

Definitions

  1. illusion, deceit; maya, the veil on reality;...

Ancestry of “माया”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Sanskritमायाart, wisdom, inhuman or supernatural power;...
2Sanskritमाdon't; accusative singular of अहम्; to sound,...
3Proto-IranianmáH
4Proto-Indo-IranianmaHdo not; prohibitive particle
5Proto-Indo-Europeanmeh₁prohibitive particle
Every word from Proto-Indo-European meh₁Every word from Proto-Indo-Iranian maHEvery word from Proto-Iranian máH
माया — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer