# Rope & Snake > [!summary] > *The classic Vedantic analogy of mistaking a rope for a snake illustrates how ignorance creates false perception. Just as a rope seen in darkness appears to be a snake, the conditioned soul misperceives material existence due to spiritual ignorance.* ## Illusion Through Ignorance ### Rope Mistaken for Snake A piece of rope in darkness appears to be a snake. When light comes, the fear vanishes. Similarly, in spiritual ignorance we misperceive material nature. ![[sb/6/9/37|A rope causes fear...rajju-khaṇḍaḥ...a piece of rope]] —SB [[sb/6/9/37|6.9.37]] ## The Material World as Illusion ### Neither False Nor Real The illusory energy creates a covering like mistaking a rope for a snake. But the rope is real, and the snake is also real elsewhere. ![[sb/2/9/10#purport|rope accepted as a snake]] —SB [[sb/2/9/10|2.9.10]] Purport ## The One Without Duality ### God Is One, Perceptions Differ Devotees see the Lord as a source of bliss; nondevotees see Him as fearful. Like the rope—one reality, two perceptions. ![[sb/6/9/37#purport|rope is one truth]] —SB [[sb/6/9/37|6.9.37]] Purport ## Related Analogies ### Mirage in the Desert Like a mirage promising water to a thirsty animal, material happiness is illusory. See: [[sb/5/14/6|SB 5.14.6]], [[sb/2/2/6|SB 2.2.6]] ### Dream State Like dreams that seem real while sleeping, material existence seems real until awakening. See: [[sb/4/29/35|SB 4.29.35]], [[sb/6/15/21-23|SB 6.15.21-24]] *Complete reference: [[index/entries/analogies|Analogies Index]]* *See also: [[wiki/analogies/maya|Maya]], [[wiki/analogies/knowledge-ignorance|Knowledge & Ignorance]], [[wiki/analogies/dreams|Dreams]]*