What is Maya?

The Sanskrit meaning of the word Maya is Illusion. Hindus use the word illusion in the same sense as defined in any dictionary: a mistaken perception of reality. When Hindus speak of this material world being an illusion, they are not saying that the world doesn’t exist. Instead they refer to the mistaken perception of the real world that is, thinking the material world is separate from God. The material world exist, even if it may be God’s temporary manifestation.