SELF-KNOWLEDGE - 9. MAYA ILLUSION - Sri Swami Sivananda

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Sri Swami Sivananda - Self-Knowledge - Chapter 9: Maya
In Chapter 9 of his renowned work Self-Knowledge, Sri Swami Sivananda delves into one of the most profound and important concepts in Vedanta:

Maya.
Maya is the illusory power that veils the true nature of reality, causing the world of appearances to seem real, even though it is transient and impermanent. The chapter not only explains Maya but also explores its roots, manifestations, and the effects it has on human consciousness. The teachings in this chapter aim to guide the aspirant towards a clearer understanding of the world and, ultimately, to self-realization. 

What is Maya?
Maya, as explained by Swami Sivananda, is the cosmic illusion that governs the perception of the material world. It is the power that causes the unreal to appear real and the real to appear unreal. According to Vedantic philosophy, the ultimate reality, Brahman, is eternal, formless, and beyond any conceptual understanding. However, due to Maya, individuals perceive the world as a solid, separate, and changing entity. Swami Sivananda describes Maya as a veil over the true nature of existence. Just as a piece of cloth hides the form of an object, Maya conceals the divine nature of the universe. It manifests in two primary ways: Avidya (ignorance) and Vikshepa (the projecting power). While Avidya causes one to be unaware of the true nature of reality, Vikshepa creates the illusion of the world by projecting its transient forms. Maya thus prevents the seeker from realizing the unity of all existence and the truth of Brahman. Maya is not entirely negative or destructive; instead, it serves as a necessary illusion within the material world. It allows the world to exist as we experience it, and it is only through transcending Maya that one can perceive the truth of the ultimate reality.

Avidya
Avidya, or ignorance, is one of the primary manifestations of Maya. Swami Sivananda explains that Avidya is the root cause of all suffering and illusion. It is the ignorance that leads the individual to mistake the transient for the eternal, the unreal for the real, and the limited for the unlimited. Avidya causes individuals to identify themselves with the body, mind, and ego, leading to the false belief that the individual is separate from the universe. Avidya is also the cause of all desires, attachments, and the cycle of birth and death (samsara). Because of Avidya, individuals remain bound by their limited perception and fail to recognize the truth of their divine essence. The concept of Avidya is central to the teachings of Vedanta, as overcoming ignorance is considered the first step toward self-realization. Swami Sivananda further explains that Avidya is not an absolute or permanent ignorance, but a temporary state. It is only through knowledge, meditation, and spiritual discipline that one can dispel Avidya and realize the truth of the self. The process of self-inquiry and spiritual practices like Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge) and Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion) help in removing Avidya and leading one towards self-realization.

Ahankara
The third aspect of Maya that Swami Sivananda discusses in this chapter is Ahankara, the sense of the ego or "I-ness." Ahankara is the identification with the body, mind, and intellect, and the belief in a separate, individual self. It is the psychological construct that creates the feeling of separateness from the rest of the world and from the divine. Swami Sivananda elaborates on how Ahankara is a product of Avidya and is directly related to the illusion of duality. Because of Ahankara, an individual identifies with their physical form, personal achievements, desires, a