Maya (mythology)

In Hinduism, Maya is seen as the illusory form of Devi, the Divine Goddess. Her most famous explication is seen in the Devi Mahatmya, which is said to spring from the Devi Sukta passage of the Vedas.

Essentially, Mahamaya (great Maya) both blinds us in delusion (moha) and has the power to free us from it. Maya, superimposed on Brahman, the one divine ground and essence of monist Hinduism, is envisioned as one with Kali, Durga, etc. A great Hindu sage who often spoke of Maya the same as the Shakti principle of Hinduism was Shri Ramakrishna.