Tricks of Maya

The Srimad-Bhagavatam describes the absolute necessity of hearing about maya: “The Lord’s activities in association with His different energies should be described, appreciated and heard in accordance with the teachings of the Supreme Lord. If this is done regularly with devotion and respect, one is sure to get out of the illusory energy of the Lord.” (SB 2.7.53)

Here, the Lord is making an incredibly powerful point - if one constantly describes maya in relation to the Lord, remembers maya or hears about maya with proper faith, he will not be bewildered by maya. We have to be conscious of Krishna, but simultaneously cautious of maya. Both go hand in hand. In the pastimes of Srimad-Bhagavatam, we’ll find that maya employs a variety of inventive tricks to illusion the living entity into forgetfulness the spiritual reality.

1) “Just this once” – Trick: Complacency

We often succumb to a temptation or allurement, considering that a slight interaction will be harmless. Maya, however, comes in like a needle and goes out like a plough. Even one who has made substantial investments in their spiritual growth must remain vigilant and cautious, avoiding any sense of complacency. When Putana smoothly entered Vrindavana guised as a beautiful maiden, nobody suspected how dangerous and deviant she was.

2) “You are better off alone” – Trick: Isolation

Aesop’s fable tells of how sticks bundled together are unbreakable, but when separated can be easily snapped. Our strength and protection in spiritual life lies in being surrounded by sincere spiritualists. Maya will often trick us into distancing ourselves from spiritual company – an argument, misunderstanding, personality difference or cultural barrier, and we convince ourselves we are better off alone. Rather, we must find like-minded spiritual friends and stay with them if we are to remain strong and safe in spiritual life. When Bharata Maharaja became attached to a deer, one of the contributing factors to his fall down was the fact that he was isolated in the forest, with nobody to rectify him.

3) “It’s too difficult” – Trick: Hopelessness

Every spiritual practitioner is confronted with the gap between the real (of where they are) and the ideal (of where they’d like to be). That gap is uncomfortable, and can create feelings of guilt, frustration and hopelessness. We know where we want to be, but can’t find the strength to reach there, and thus lose hope, wondering if we’ll ever make it. We should always remember that spiritual life is difficult, but material life is impossible. Though the material energy is strong, Krishna and devotion to Him is even more powerful. Though many influential personalities had tried to convince Dhritarastra to change his ways, each one was unsuccessful. Vidura, however, never lost hope, and was finally able to help the blind King sever himself from his material attachments.

4) “Problem is outside” – Trick: Diversion

Maya often tricks us into thinking that the problems are outside – the people, places and situations surrounding us. Thus, we’re often compulsively busy on addressing the externals, all the while diverting ourselves from the internal work that is the root cause of all problems. The Avanti brahmana famously prays: “These people are not the cause of my happiness and distress. Neither are the demigods, my own body, the planets, my past work, or time. Rather, it is the mind alone that causes happiness and distress and perpetuates the rotation of material life.” (SB 11.23.42) Though we surely need some stability in life, we’ll never be able to fully control the outer world, and therefore, we have to learn to control the inner world.

5) “You are there” – Trick: Pride

Maya is an equal opportunities employer – she doesn’t look at age, history, gender, achievements – anyone is a poetntial candidate! Sometimes we feel we have achieved spiritual maturity, and the subsequent pride that arises instigates our downfall. In a game of Snakes and Ladders, one may reach the 99th square and then be caught. When we gain name, fame, appreciation and success in spiritual circles, we can feel our journey is complete, yet the internal purity has not yet manifested and thus leaves us vulnerable. Krishna orchestrated the lifting of Govardhana Hill to expose the pride of Indra, who had risen to prominence by dint of his incredible sacrifices. Real love (prema) is always accompanied by humility (dainya). Such meek, saintly personalities are ever-enriching their spiritual connection with Krishna.