Understanding Ignorance– As Taught by Vedanta

In this episode, we will explore the concept of Ignorance as explained in Vedanta. In Sanskrit, the term for ignorance is “avidya.” Here, “vidya” means knowledge, so “avidya” signifies the lack of knowledge, or ignorance. Of all the topics addressed in Vedanta, ignorance holds special importance because it is seen as the fundamental cause of all suffering and unhappiness in life.

Though “ignorance” or “avidya” might appear to be simple terms, their impact is far-reaching. This force is profound and deeply embedded, capable of producing a wide range of effects in our lives.

Throughout this episode, we will examine various dimensions of ignorance and offer practical guidance on how to overcome it.

For questions or feedback please email us at

jayant@staminteractive.com

Transcript

Hello and welcome to Science Meets Vedanta—a platform dedicated to delving into the core principles of Vedanta and uncovering the remarkable connections between scientific inquiry and ancient wisdom. I’m Jayant Kapatker, author of the book Science Meets Vedanta.

Each week, inspired by insights from my book, we’ll journey through a range of topics aimed at deepening your understanding of the essential teachings of Vedanta. Along the way, we’ll also examine scientific concepts and demonstrate how the wisdom of Vedanta can offer new and meaningful perspectives. Be sure to join us as we embark on this enlightening path together!

In this episode, we will try and decode Ignorance as taught by Vedanta. In Sanskrit, Ignorance is referred to as “avidya.” The word “vidya” translates to knowledge, so “avidya” means the absence of knowledge, or ignorance. Among the many concepts discussed in Vedanta, ignorance is most significant because it is considered the root of all suffering and unhappiness in life. Vedanta offers a path to overcome this ignorance. According to its teachings, ignorance is the only reason we remain caught in this never-ending cycle of birth and rebirth.

On a deeper level, Vedanta explains that ignorance is what creates duality—the sense of separation between the subject (the self) and the object (the world). This feeling of division leads to the formation of the mind and, consequently, suffering. Please listen to the episode “Understanding the Mind” in which we discuss how ignorance is the source for the mind. 

In fact, everything we perceive in the universe—trees, stars, living beings—is also shaped by ignorance. Vedanta often uses the classic analogy of mistaking a rope for a snake: ignorance enables the mind to see a snake where there is only a rope. Who is creating the snake instead of the rope? Ignorance has the power of creating the snake. Similarly, all objects we experience are formed by ignorance. This force is profound and deeply embedded, capable of producing a wide range of effects in our lives.

Though “ignorance” or “avidya” might appear to be simple terms, their impact is far-reaching. In Vedanta, ignorance is the direct opposite of knowledge—it represents a lack of understanding. But what knowledge is missing? Vedanta is not concerned with the knowledge or ignorance of external objects. Its focus is on the knowledge of our true self—our essential nature and ultimate reality. This self-knowledge is deemed far more important than any information about the world around us.

So, how can we acquire this transformative knowledge? The key is to recognize how ignorance operates. Ignorance obscures and conceals our true nature. To remove this veil, it’s necessary to understand how ignorance works and the influence it has on us. By exploring the mechanisms of removing ignorance, we move closer to realizing and internalizing the “ultimate knowledge” that Vedanta speaks of. This is the focus of this episode. 

Exploring the Nature of Self-Awareness and the Role of Ignorance

At the very center of our being lies Self-Awareness. This core aspect of ourselves is non-dual, meaning it is not divided into separate parts. It is whole, complete, and exists independently, needing nothing outside itself. For a more in-depth exploration of this topic, you may wish to listen to the episode titled “Understanding Self-Awareness.”

If Self-Awareness is our true reality, it raises a fundamental question: why do we fail to perceive or feel it? The straightforward answer is ignorance. We are unaware of our essential nature, and this lack of awareness profoundly affects our understanding of Self-Awareness.

When ignorance is present, we lose sight of the fact that we are both the observer (subject) and the observed (object). We forget that subject and objects are unified and non-dual. Instead, ignorance leads us to believe that the subject and object are separate and independent from one another.

This misconception is powerful—it gives rise to the mind and its sense of duality, splitting the non-dual Self into two. As a result, the mind creates a distinct feeling of the subject being “in here” and the object being “out there.” This division is an experience for all of us, shaping how we perceive ourselves and the world.

The Powers of Ignorance

Ignorance holds significant influence in our lives, and in Vedanta, it is described as possessing three distinct powers or "shaktis":

1.      The Power of Veiling

2.      The Power of Projection

3.      The Power of Mutual Superimposition

The Rope and Snake Analogy

To understand these powers, Vedanta offers a classic analogy: Imagine walking down a dimly lit path at night. There is a rope lying on the ground, but due to poor visibility, you mistake it for a snake. This is a situation many of us can relate to. If ignorance were not present, you would immediately recognize the object as a rope. However, because of ignorance, you see a snake instead. Let’s break down how this happens:

1. Veiling Power: First, the veiling power of ignorance completely obscures the rope from your awareness. You simply do not see the rope as it is.
2. Projection Power: Next, the projecting power of ignorance comes into play. It projects the image of a snake onto what is actually a rope, causing your mind to create a false perception.
3. Mutual Superimposition: Finally, there is a mutual superimposition of qualities. The rope’s physical characteristics—its shape and size—are attributed to the imagined snake. Simultaneously, the fearsome and alarming qualities of a snake are imposed onto the rope. As a result, seeing this superimposed “snake” triggers fear.

Now, let’s consider how these powers of ignorance affect our understanding of ourselves. Just as ignorance can cover up the reality of the rope, it can also veil our true nature—our Self-Awareness. This means we are unaware of our essential being. We forget that we are inherently uncreated, unchanging, limitless, blissful, and self-aware.

Next because our Real Self is obscured by the veil of ignorance, the projection power of ignorance creates the ego in the place of the Real Self. Just like the snake is projected onto the rope.  

Through mutual superimposition, the qualities of the true Self and Ego become intertwined. Our Awareness —an aspect of the real Self—is projected onto Ego, making it sentient and conscious. Meanwhile, ignorance’s limitations and incompleteness are imposed onto our sense of self, giving rise to the ego. This ego, shaped by limitedness and incompleteness, becomes the foundation of our mind and sense of individuality.

Ignorance Has No Beginning, But It Has an End

Ignorance does not have a specific starting point; it is without an origin. It has always existed and cannot have a true beginning. If ignorance were to begin at a certain moment, that would mean there was a time before ignorance existed. During that time, only knowledge would exist. However, this scenario is not possible—once you possess knowledge, ignorance about that particular fact vanishes. For instance, once you understand that 2 + 2 equals 4, you cannot become ignorant of this truth again. Ignorance is present only before knowledge is gained and ceases to exist once knowledge is acquired.

As long as we do not have the knowledge of our true Self-Awareness, ignorance persists. This suggests that ignorance is beginningless, it has always been part of our experience. Nevertheless, ignorance does have an end. The moment knowledge is attained, ignorance disappears. This principle holds true for all types of knowledge. In summary, while ignorance has no true beginning, it certainly has an end when replaced by understanding.

Types of Ignorance in Vedanta

According to Vedanta, the universe can be distilled into two fundamental realities: witnessing Self and all external forms or objects. This duality leads to two principal types of ignorance: ignorance of objects and ignorance of the Self.

Ignorance of Objects

Ignorance of objects refers to our limited ability to know and comprehend the countless topics and objects that exist in the universe. Everyone has access to a finite amount of knowledge, leaving gaps in understanding about many things. The ignorance of objects only has veiling power; it does not have the power of projection and mutual superimposition. The veiling power covers the required knowledge of the object or topic, and, because of this cover, we lack knowledge of this object. Once this veil is removed, we get the understanding of that topic. 

Ignorance of the Self

Ignorance of the Self is the lack of awareness or understanding of our true nature, which, according to Vedanta, is pure Self-Awareness. Most people mistakenly identify with their ego, body, and mind, rather than recognizing their deeper, unchanging essence. This form of ignorance is much more profound and influential than ignorance of objects. It not only veils our true nature but also projects a false identity (the ego and body-mind complex) and enables mutual superimposition—confusing the Self with non-Self attributes. This powerful ignorance is the root cause of suffering and unhappiness.

To summarize, Cumulative Ignorance is the total of Ignorance of Objects plus Ignorance of the Self.

Degrees of Ignorance

Ignorance and knowledge exist on a spectrum, and every individual occupies a unique position on this scale for every possible subject. For example, consider knowledge of the English language. Someone with complete mastery has 100% knowledge, while someone with no exposure has 100% ignorance; most people fall somewhere in between. 

Take another subject, say mathematics. Here again, there will be a scale of 100% knowledge to 100% ignorance. People will fall somewhere on the scale of 100% knowledge to 100% ignorance. The same model applies to other subjects, where everyone has varying degrees of knowledge and ignorance.

By combining these scales for all topics and objects, we form a cumulative knowledge–ignorance profile. Each person’s profile reflects their relative familiarity and ignorance across countless subjects, making the overall profile complex and unique for every individual.

The Knowledge–Ignorance Profile of the Self

Just as we can measure knowledge and ignorance regarding external objects, we can also assess our awareness of the Self. Enlightened individuals possess 100% knowledge of their true Self, while others may be 100% entirely unaware, representing total ignorance of the Self. The spectrum of Self-knowledge is as nuanced as that of object knowledge.

When we combine the knowledge–ignorance profiles of both objects and the Self, we get a cumulative profile. Every living being occupies a unique “pixel” within this vast landscape—a distinct mix of knowledge and ignorance. Each pixel is a representation of an individual’s specific combination of knowledge and ignorance. In this way, every person, including you and me, is defined by their own unique pixel of ignorance, shaped by their personal journey toward knowledge and Self-realization.

Ignorance Is Dynamic:

Ignorance is not a fixed or stagnant element in our lives; instead, it is constantly evolving. Each "pixel" of ignorance is alive and responsive, shifting in the presence of awareness. As we acquire new knowledge or skills—such as learning to play tennis, our ignorance in that particular area diminishes, reshaping our overall profile of ignorance. Similarly, deepening our understanding of concepts like Self-Awareness through Vedanta leads to a positive transformation of our ignorance profile. Every action we take, and every experience we have, continually updates this ledger of ignorance, reflecting our ongoing personal development.

Vasanas and Pixel of Ignorance: 

In Vedanta, vasanas are described as the ingrained tendencies that define our strengths, weaknesses, and character traits. These vasanas are the result of accumulations from all our previous lives, forming the foundation of our personality profile. These vasanas are housed within the pixel of ignorance. This pixel is uniquely yours; you carry it with you from one lifetime to the next. It is your soul. It was present in your past incarnations, exists now in your current life, and will continue to accompany you in all future births. 

Pixel of Ignorance and Seed Body: 

In Vedanta, it is taught that every human being—and indeed every living creature—consists of three fundamental bodies: the Seed Body, the Subtle Body, and the Gross Body.

The Seed Body serves as the origin point from which the other bodies emerge. Just as a seed contains within itself the blueprint of an entire tree—including its branches, leaves, and fruit—the Seed Body holds the latent potential for a living being’s full existence. When this seed-like body “germinates,” it unfolds the unique blueprint it contains.

The Seed Body is the “pixel of ignorance.” They are synonymous. The pixel of ignorance is what gives rise to both the Subtle and Gross Bodies, setting into motion the journey of individual experience.

Many scriptures mention the “heart” or the “cave,” but this is not a reference to the physical heart. Instead, it symbolizes the pixel of ignorance, the core of individuality. Sri Ramana Maharshi, a renowned sage, points out that this pixel of ignorance is located about two fingers’ width to the right of the center of the chest. Sri Shankaracharya, another great teacher, describes this pixel as the “knot” that ties the individual soul to Self-Awareness. 

Eliminating Ignorance veiling our Real Self

Ignorance can only be overcome through knowledge. Knowledge is the antidote to ignorance. However, the knowledge required is a deep understanding of our true selves—our innermost essence. Overcoming this ignorance is challenging, as it is deeply ingrained and has accumulated over countless lifetimes. Achieving true knowledge demands persistent effort and commitment. The journey to eliminate ignorance involves two essential steps:

Step 1: Purifying the Mind

The first step toward dispelling ignorance is to purify the mind. This process is crucial, as without a purified mind, true self-knowledge cannot take root. Purification is best achieved through the practice of Karma Yoga and meditation.

Karma Yoga teaches us to act without attachment to the results of our actions. By learning to accept positive and negative outcomes with equanimity, we cultivate a peaceful and balanced mind. If we consistently apply the principles of Karma Yoga, our minds become less disturbed by external circumstances, leading to greater purity.

Meditation further aids this process by calming and purifying the mind. The goal is to reduce the constant stream of thoughts and achieve a state of tranquility. Regular meditation leads to a quieter, more focused mind, which is essential for deeper self-exploration.

Step 2: Attaining Direct Knowledge

After beginning to purify the mind and studying spiritual teachings with the guidance of a knowledgeable teacher, we start to develop an understanding of our true nature—Self-Awareness. Initially, this understanding is indirect; we may intellectually grasp the concept of Self-Awareness, but it remains abstract and theoretical, something we have heard or read about rather than experienced directly.

What we truly need is direct knowledge—an immediate, personal realization of Self-Awareness.

While scriptures can offer guidance and indirect knowledge, transforming this into direct experience requires self-enquiry. This process is inherently personal; no teacher or text can undertake it for us. They can only guide us. Through self-enquiry, we move from intellectual understanding to direct realization, integrating this awareness into our own being.

We hope this conversation has offered you fresh perspectives on the nature and influence of ignorance. As we've explored, ignorance is both profound and deeply ingrained, shaping many aspects of our lives. When we lose sight of our true self, ignorance creates the mind with duality, leading to dissatisfaction and unhappiness. The only way to dispel ignorance is through knowledge. However, it's essential that this knowledge of our true self is not merely theoretical or secondhand—it must be direct, experiential, and fully integrated into our being.

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