tat + no + māyā + śṛṇvatām

tad (that) no (our) māyā (illusion) śṛṇvatām (hearers)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Kaṭhopaniṣad, Ādi Śaṅkarācārya interprets the verse 'tanno māyāśṛṇvatām' as an invocation for the removal of ignorance, which is the root of all suffering. Shankara argues that the word 'māyā' here refers to the power of Brahman that veils its true nature, leading to the perception of duality. By invoking Maya to 'listen to us,' the seeker is, in effect, asking for the removal of this veil, thereby revealing the non-dual reality of Brahman-ātman identity. This interpretation is in line with Shankara's emphasis on the ultimate reality being beyond all distinctions, including the distinction between the individual self (jīva) and the supreme self (Brahman). The seeker's plea is thus for the direct experience of this unity, unobscured by the illusions of Maya. This verse, for Shankara, encapsulates the essence of the spiritual quest in Advaita Vedanta - the quest to realize the true, unchanging Self beyond the ephemeral manifestations of Maya.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition, as represented by Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, approaches the verse 'tanno māyāśṛṇvatām' with a focus on the devotional and relational aspects between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Lord). Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary, might view this verse as an expression of the jīva's total dependence on Īśvara for liberation from the bondage of Maya. The jīva, entrenched in ignorance, petitions Īśvara, through His power of Maya, to awaken to its true nature and relationship with the Lord. This interpretation underscores the Vaiṣṇava emphasis on Bhakti (devotion) and the importance of grace (prasāda) in achieving liberation. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, while agreeing on the role of Īśvara's grace, might further emphasize the distinction between the jīva and Īśvara, highlighting that even in the state of liberation, the jīva remains distinct but in an intimate relationship with the Lord, served by the power of Maya now transformed into a means of divine service and love.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda and S. Radhakrishnan, key figures in the Neo-Vedānta movement, would likely view the verse 'tanno māyāśṛṇvatām' as a call to realize one's true potential and inner divinity. Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the importance of recognizing and transcending the limitations imposed by Maya, which he saw as a barrier to human progress and self-realization. For Vivekānanda, this verse could symbolize the aspiration to overcome the constraints of ignorance and worldly illusion, thereby uncovering the universal consciousness that underlies all existence. Radhakrishnan, with his philosophical bent, might further elucidate this by discussing the metaphysical implications of Maya and its role in the human condition, emphasizing the need for a synthetic approach that integrates the insights of Vedanta with modern thought, leading to a balanced view of life that acknowledges both the spiritual and the mundane. This interpretation aligns with the Neo-Vedānta focus on the practical and universal application of Vedāntic principles to contemporary life, aiming at the integration of the individual with the cosmic whole.

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