Sikhism

===Worldly Illusion===
[[File:Akalees Emily Eden PDL.jpg|thumb|upright|A sketch made in 1844 by [[Emily Eden]] of the "Akalees or Immortals". Digitized by the [[Panjab Digital Library]].]]
''[[Maya (illusion)|Māyā]]'', defined as a temporary illusion or "[[Derealization|unreality]]", is one of the core deviations from the pursuit of God and salvation: where worldly attractions give only illusory temporary satisfaction and pain that distracts from the process of the devotion of God. However, Nanak emphasised māyā as not a reference to the unreality of the world, but of its values. In Sikhism, the influences of [[Ahankar|ego]], [[Krodh|anger]], [[Lobh|greed]], [[Moh|attachment]], and [[Kam|lust]], known as the ''pānj chor'' ('[[Five Thieves]]'), are believed to be particularly distracting and hurtful. Sikhs believe the world is currently in a state of ''[[Kali Yuga]]'' ('age of darkness') because the world is led astray by the love of and attachment to ''māyā''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Singh |first=Nirmal |title=Searches in Sikhism |date=2008 |publisher=Hemkunt Press |isbn=978-81-7010-367-7 |page=68}}</ref> The fate of people vulnerable to the five thieves is separation from God, and the situation may be remedied only after intensive and relentless devotion.<ref>{{cite book |last=Parrinder |first=Geoffrey |author-link=Geoffrey Parrinder |date=1971 |title=World Religions: From Ancient History to the Present |publisher=[[Hamlyn (publisher)|Hamlyn]] |location=London |isbn=978-0-87196-129-7|page=253}}</ref>