Avidya

Avidya, in Hinduism, means ignorance, or individual ignorance. Definitions of avidya, frequently given as a synonym for ajhana, have led Indian philosophers into endless and profitless speculation resulting in little concurrence.

Avidya - Sanskrit - "non-(spiritual) knowledge", metaphysical ignorance.

AVIDYA - ignorance.
On this we may remark that the casting off of Ruparaga involves not only getting rid of desire for earthly life, however grand or noble that life may be, and astral or Devachanic life, however glorious, ...

Nescience or avidya is regarded as the cause of the phenomenal semblance.

(2) Mahavidya, the "great knowledge," the magic of the Kabalists and the Tantrika worship, often Sorcery of the worst description.

See also: World, Spirit, Ritual, Spiritual, Self