What is Maya or Avidya, and what are some examples the text uses to explain this illusion?

Maya, also referred to as Avidya or ignorance, is the power of illusion that makes the world appear real when it is not, or makes one object appear as another. As explained in Chapter 50, even the wise can be helpless before it. The text provides several analogies to illustrate this concept. For instance, a rope in dim light might appear as a snake, or the nacre inside a shell might be mistaken for silver. The sun's rays can create the illusion of a mirage. Another powerful example is when someone whirls a lit firebrand (kolit), creating the visual effect of a continuous circle of fire (Agni-kankan), even though the circle itself does not exist. Similarly, the delusion of Maya produces a non-existent world.