# Māyā *On the illusory energy and how to overcome it* --- ### What Is Māyā? > Māyā means "that which is not." We are accepting something which is not. We are accepting this body as the self, but this is not self. This is māyā. We are accepting this material world as our permanent settlement, but it is not permanent. This is māyā. — [[spoken/1970/700508ip.la|Śrī Īśopaniṣad, Mantra 6, Los Angeles, 1970]] --- ### Māyā Will Attack > Our this new bride and bridegroom should always remember that in any condition of life they should remain together. And that will be possible if they concentrate their ideas to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Then it will be possible. Otherwise māyā will attack in so many ways and cause disruption in so many ways. — [[spoken/1969/690604in.nv|Initiation Lecture, New Vṛndāvana, 1969]] --- ### Very Strong > Māyā is very strong. Daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā. Kṛṣṇa says that "This māyā is very strong, very difficult to overcome." But mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te: "Anyone who surrenders unto Me, he can easily cross over this māyā." — [[spoken/1972/721017sb.vrn|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6, Vṛndāvana, 1972]] --- ### Thinking Mine > Best thing is to return everything to Kṛṣṇa. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. And you will not be a loser; you will be gainer, just like Bali Mahārāja. Actually, if you think, everything belongs to Kṛṣṇa. Nothing belongs to you. This is māyā. Kṛṣṇa's property you are thinking "mine." — [[spoken/1969/690510r1.col|Room Conversation, Columbus, 1969]] --- ### Kṛṣṇa's Energy > Māyā is Kṛṣṇa's energy. Māyā is not independent. Māyā is engaged to give trouble to those who have forgotten Kṛṣṇa. That is māyā's business. And as soon as you become Kṛṣṇa conscious, māyā will not touch you. — [[spoken/1968/680816jm.mon|Janmāṣṭamī Lecture, Montreal, 1968]] --- ### Devotee Is Not Under Māyā > A devotee is not under the control of māyā. He is under the control of Kṛṣṇa. That is the difference. A materialistic person is under the control of māyā, and a devotee is under the direct control of Kṛṣṇa. — [[spoken/1970/700508ip.la|Śrī Īśopaniṣad, Mantra 6, Los Angeles, 1970]] --- ### Just Surrender > Māyā cannot touch you if you surrender to Kṛṣṇa. Māyā is under Kṛṣṇa's control. So if you surrender to Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa orders māyā, "Don't touch this person." That's all. The whole thing is finished. — [[spoken/1972/721017sb.vrn|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6, Vṛndāvana, 1972]] --- ### Service Is Māyā > This service is māyā. Nobody will be satisfied. Nobody. You cannot satisfy, neither you will be satisfied. The best example is in your country, that your president, Mr. Kennedy, he gave you the best service, and the result was that you killed him. — [[spoken/1969/690510r1.col|Room Conversation, Columbus, 1969]] --- ### Forgetfulness of Kṛṣṇa > Māyā means forgetfulness of Kṛṣṇa. That's all. As soon as you forget Kṛṣṇa, you are under māyā. And as soon as you remember Kṛṣṇa, you are free from māyā. So our business is to remember Kṛṣṇa always. Then we are free. — [[spoken/1968/680816jm.mon|Janmāṣṭamī Lecture, Montreal, 1968]] --- ### Like Shadow > Just like you cannot get out of your shadow. Wherever you go, the shadow will go. But if you go towards the sun, then your face is towards the sun and the shadow is back. Similarly, if you always remain in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, māyā is back side. You don't see māyā. — [[spoken/1972/721017sb.vrn|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6, Vṛndāvana, 1972]] --- *10 quotes from Śrīla Prabhupāda on māyā* [[wiki/quotes|Back to Quotes]]