The illusion or Maya is born when the Soul is bound by ignorance.+

Q: R S:~ “What is the illusion? Maharshi.: To who is the illusion? Find it out -then the illusion will vanish. Generally, people want to know about illusion and do not examine to whom it is. It is foolish. the Illusion is outside and unknown. But the seeker is considered to be known and is inside. Find out what is immediate, intimate, instead of trying to find out what is distant and unknown.” ― Ramana Maharishi, Talks with Ramana Maharshi: On Realizing Abiding Peace and Happiness.

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Santthosh Kumaar: ~ When the Self is not the form(body), and then the question of whom does not arise.

A deeper self-search reveals the fact that the ‘I’ itself is an illusion. If the ‘I’ is an illusion, then it is no use in inquiring ‘Who Am I?.

Till one holds the ‘I’ as the Self, is caught up in the prison of the dualistic illusion.

Sage Sankara:~ VC~.63-"Without knowing and examining the external world, one can’t know the Truth, as the idea that the external world exists, won't go. It can go only by an inquiry into the nature of the external world.

Deeper Self-search reveals the fact that by inquiring the Who Am I? ~ Advaitic wisdom will not dawn. Who Am I?- inquiry is only for beginners and it is inadequate and useless in the later stages.

That is why Sage Sankara:~ VC~.61~ For one who has been bitten by the serpent of Ignorance, the only remedy is the knowledge of Brahman. Of what avail are the Vedas and (other) Scriptures, Mantras (sacred formulae), and medicines to such a one?

VC- v6~ Let erudite scholars quote all the scripture, let Gods be invoked through sacrifices, let elaborate rituals be performed, let personal Gods be propitiated---yet, without the realization of one‘s identity With the Self, there shall be no liberation for the individual, not even in the lifetimes of a hundred Brahmas put together.

Sage Sankara goes on to say: ~A sickness of not cured by saying the word “medicine.” You must take the medicine. Liberation does not come by merely saying the word “Brahman.” Brahman must be experienced. Until you allow this apparent universe to dissolve from your consciousness until you have realized Brahman, how can you find liberation just by saying the word Brahman? The result is merely noise. Until a man has destroyed his enemies and taken possession of the splendor and wealth of the kingdom, he cannot become a king by simply saying “I am a king.”

A buried treasure is not uncovered by merely uttering the words: “Come forth.” You must follow the right directions, dig, remove the stones and earth from above it, and then make it your own. In the same way, the pure truth of the Atman, which is buried under Maya and the effects of Maya, can be reached by meditation, contemplation, but never by subtle arguments.

Illusion or Maya: ~

The Soul is present in the form of consciousness alone, is real and all else is merely an illusion.

The universe has no real existence without consciousness. Consciousness alone is real and eternal.

What is this Illusion or Maya?

The illusion or Maya is born when the Soul is bound by ignorance.

The illusion is present in the form of ~

• Form, time, and space

• Birth, life, and death

• Pain and Pleasure,

• Burden and bondage

• Waking, dream and deep sleep

• Universe/Mind /Duality/'I'

The illusion is created out of the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Because of ignorance, the illusion is experienced as a reality.

The dualistic illusion or Maya deludes because it is based on the ego. In egocentricity, one is ignorant of the truth, which is beyond form, time, and space. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar