Ramayana: the secret of the Maya cave

In the Ramayana, once Sita is kidnapped, Sugriva sends out search teams in four directions. The team to the south comprising Hanuman, Angada, Jambavan & other Vanaras (monkeys) come across a cave during their search.

This cave is described as a Maya cave. The Vanaras, intending to search the cave, get stuck inside, and are unable to figure out a way to exit. They chance upon a Yogini called SwayamPrabha. The Yogini says that it is not possible to get out of the cave with open eyes and asks them to close their eyes. Then, she helps them exit the cave.

If I wish to explain an important concept, I can describe it in a dry factual manner. But how appealing would it be? If I make it into a story that even a child can remember and make it interesting, chances are that it would survive through the ages, won't it?

Let us examine this story in more detail. Maya means illusion. This cave is a cave of illusion. Once you are stuck in Maya, you cannot leave. Once we're stuck in our own illusion that we are this body, mind, ego, we cannot get rid of this illusion. The Yogini's name is SwayamPrabha. Swayam means self, Prabha means light. SwayamPrabha means light of the self. The only way to get rid out of this cave is through the light of the self. And it is not possible to exit with open eyes. It is not possible to get rid of our illusion using our sense organs (Jnana Indriyas).

In this beautiful story, the concept of Self realization is cleverly hidden.

References:
https://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/kish/sarga50/kishkindha_50_frame.htm
https://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/kish/sarga51/kishkindha_51_frame.htm
https://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/kish/sarga52/kishkindha_52_frame.htm