The ‘maya’/illusion is non-different from the supreme Being, and hence as that Being itself, it is real. But when separated and conceived as something different from the Being, as the cause of this world, a separate entity again, then it is said to be unreal. When the cause is unreal, its effect – this world, also is unreal.. .....The story goes as - A rich merchant was traveling in a train with a heavy purse followed by a crook, who knew the fact somehow and managed to get accommodation just on the opposite bench of the same compartment. During the day, the merchant opened his purse several times for sundry purchases, assuring the thief that he was having considerable money. The merchant being very shrewd, knew that the man on the opposite bench was a crook who had come to rob him of his money. Both of them retired at night for rest, each of them pretending to have slept deeply. After midnight the thief slowly got up and searched for the purse in merchant’s coat pockets, in his box, under his bed, every nook and corner, but could not get it. The next day also merchant opened his purse many times assuring the thief that enough money is still there. Thief, a bit more determined this time, thought that he would surely get it the coming night, but again could not find it. Next morning, before reaching the destination, the thief just as a friend asked the merchant, where was he keeping his purse during the two nights? The merchant smiled and said: “O, I knew you were a crook who had come to steel my purse, so I kept it safely under your pillow”. The thief was abashed and suddenly disappeared in the crowd. …… We are making the same mistake. We are searching for the Atma/Self, which is one with us and one with everything, which is seated in the ‘heart’ – as though It is an object or person external to us. ………..Om!