The effect of Maya

"On the basis of the misconception which ties together the hearts of the male and female, one becomes attracted to his body, home, property, children, relatives and wealth. In this way one increases life's illusions and thinks in terms of 'I and mine." - Bhagavat Purana 5.5.8



Under the influence of the three gunas, the soul is first misled by matter, and subsequently entangled and entrapped. This tendency is termed MAYA(illusion).




Maya literally means "that which is not." In the twilight, one may easily mistake a rope for a snake. In so doing, we feel fear. Hence fear and other emotions may often be based on illusion, an incorrect perception of reality.




Under maya's influence, the soul (Atma) mistakenly identifies with the body. A person under the influence of Maya accepts such thoughts that discriminates him from others like caster, creed, rich, poor, my nation, my house, my religion etc. Thus the Maya affected soul identifies with the temporary body and everything connected to it, such as race, gender, family, nation, bank balance, and sectarian religion. Under this sense of false-ego (false-identity) the soul aspires to control and enjoy matter. However, in so doing the man continuously possess lust, greed, and anger. In frustration he often redoubles his efforts and, compounding mistake upon mistake, only falls deeper into illusion.



In ignorance (tamas), he is fully convinced that right is wrong and wrong is right. In passion he is unsure, hesitant, sometimes enjoying and at others times repenting. Only in Goodness does the soul begin to develop wisdom – to see things in the real light.



Thus enlightenment means moving away from tamas towards sattva. By so doing, the soul gradually escapes the clutches of maya and moves towards liberation.