Goddess of Illusion: Maya

Maya, the Hindu goddess

As a fundamental force of nature that sometimes embodies itself as the enchantress, Maya knows the only thing that counts is appearance. She continually bathes all beings with moha, delusion, and she alone can remove it. This delusion is the source of difference, in which gods and mortals become distinct individuals, and unitary reality breaks down to particular objects.

Maya is conspicuous among the other deities, for she stands out by making herself larger, more colorful and mysterious than more bland gods, making herself a magnet for attention. Glowing brilliantly, Maya attains a magnified presence that pulls all attention towards her. With large gestures – sometimes amusing, oftentimes scandalous – she outshines all others.

Over the course of their endless lives, the gods struggle with crushing boredom, limited to options that are either banal or all-too-familiar. Anything that appears enigmatic draws instant interest.

A cost of being a member of a society of immortals is the absence of the unknowable. Since death holds no mystery, this society is full of anesthetized gods who secretly yearn for riddles or enigmas, things, or beings that cannot either be truly deciphered, possessed or transformed. Which explains their fascination with ancient objects older than themselves.

The idea of mystery spark active imaginations, resulting in many different interpretations, for it implies something strange contains something very wonderful. In a completely transparent society with tedious characters, the strange and bizarre automatically attract attention. With the aura of mystery Maya has all the attention she needs, which also creates a intimidating presence.

As the consummate illusionist Maya maintains mystery – without ever being obvious in her actions – in order to intensify anticipation, or beguile, seduce and even frighten, all for often unfathomable motives. Maya is far more calculating with her messages and images than most others. Oftentimes she holds back, even remain silent for long periods of time, breaking with a sphinx-like bon mot here and there.

Despite their great powers, the gods inevitably feel oppressed by their roles, and they resent the requirements it entails: be authoritative, imperious, imposing, always maintain self-restraint. Maya has complete control over perception, both divine and mortal, which turns her into the ultimate fantasy figure. With illusions and appearances she offers the gods a complete escape from the dreary restrictions of the responsibilities of divinity. Her sole presence exacerbates sexual tension, causing all (particularly the masculine gods and goddesses) to feel they are in a realm of pleasure.

Maya has always been considered a dangerous goddess, for her enticements usually tempts gods to lose all sense of proportion in their pursuit, which is actually what they long to do. Maya is a mirage that lures gods by developing a certain appearance and manner, sometimes tailor-made for that particular god. She has mastered the masculine libido by incarnating their uninhibited fantasies.

Moreover, Maya knows the great power that comes with the ability to intuit the fantasies of the masses. The gods have no use for the truth; it is generally offensive and impolite, hideous and annoying. Rather than provoking anger with the truth, Maya flourishes with illusions by fabricating romance and fantasies in a humdrum society. The exotic fantasy provide the gods temporary relief from their permanent ennui.

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Awet

...a philosophisticator who utters heresies, thinks theothanatologically and draws like Kirby on steroids.

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