Before the creation, I, only I, existed; nothing else was existent then. My Real Self is known by the names Chit (consciousness), Sambit (Intelligence), Para Brahman, and others. My Âtman (Soul) is beyond mind, beyond thought, beyond any name or mark, without any parallel, and beyond birth, death, or any other change or transformation.
My Self has one inherent power called Mâyâ. This Mâyâ is not existent, nor non-existent, nor can it be called both. This unspeakable substance Mâyâ always exists till the final emancipation or Moksa.
Mâyâ can be destroyed by Brahma Jñâna (Knowledge of Brahman); so it can not be called existent, again if Mâyâ does not exist, the practical world cannot exist. So it cannot be called non-existent. Of course, it cannot be called both, for it would involve contradictions.
I am a Nirguna. And when I am united with my Sakti (Energy), Maya, I become Saguna, the Great Cause of this world. This Maya is divided into two, Vidya and Avidya. Avidya Maya hides Me; whereas Vidya Maya does not. Avidya creates whereas Vidya Maya liberates.
— Srimad Devi Bhagavatam — Chapter XXXII (On Self-realization, Spoken by the World Mother)
