What is Avidya, and why is it considered so powerful that even the wise are affected by it?

Avidya, which translates to ignorance, is presented in Chapter 50 as the fundamental cause of the soul's 'causal body' and the illusion of the material world. Its power lies in its ability to superimpose a false reality over the true one, much like a dream creates a vivid world for the mind even without the use of eyes. The text illustrates the power of Avidya and its manifestation, Maya, with several analogies: it is the phenomenon that makes a rope appear as a snake, causes one to see silver in a shell, or perceive a mirage in the sun's rays. The text explicitly states that this is the 'play of Maya,' before which 'even the wise are helpless,' highlighting its pervasive and deceptive nature. Removing this veil of Avidya is therefore described as the necessary step toward true discernment and knowledge.