Acharya Prashant explains Kabir Saheb's verse regarding the nature of Maya and shadow, illustrating that Maya behaves exactly like a physical shadow. He demonstrates that as long as one moves toward the light of truth, the shadow follows behind. However, if one turns around to chase or satisfy the shadow, it runs away, remaining elusive. This represents the futility of trying to satisfy worldly illusions or Maya. He emphasizes that Maya cannot be negotiated with or satisfied because its nature is to keep the individual entangled. As long as one identifies with the physical body, which is inherently dark inside, a shadow will be cast in the presence of light. He further explains that suffering is a factual reality for any living being born into a body, while bliss is only a possibility. The shadow of Maya exists because the individual is not yet one with the light. Acharya Prashant advises that instead of focusing on the shadow or trying to fix it, one must continuously move toward the Sun, symbolizing the ultimate truth. He warns against the state of total darkness or ignorance where the shadow disappears because everything has become dark; this is a state of unconsciousness where one no longer even feels their suffering. The only solution is to remain dedicated to the path of light until the self and the light become one.
