Chapter 50 explains that Maya, or ignorance, manifests not only as perceptual illusions but also as deep-seated psychological attachments and pride. The text describes the delusion of identifying with the body and possessions—thinking 'I am the body, mine are wife and home'—as a form of bondage. It specifically points out that even learned individuals, or 'Pandits,' can be trapped by Maya. Their great pride, expressed in thoughts like 'Skilled in scriptures, possessing genius, there is no other equal to me,' is highlighted as a significant cause of dissatisfaction. This pride is explicitly identified as a form of Maya or Avidya, and true knowledge can only arise when such delusions are removed.
How do pride and worldly attachments relate to Maya and ignorance, even for those who are learned?
📖 Chapter 50