ABSTRACT
Illusion is a major force in the process of cosmic relations and expresses the essential changeable quality of these relations and the often ambiguous and unstable character of the gods and demons. The power of demons and their ability to control through appearance arises when they are outside the cosmic hierarchy. As hierarchy structures the cosmic totality, hierarchy also orders relations in the demon world. Demonic illusion emerges in the failure of hierarchy and works against the order of hierarchy. Human beings are subject to demonic power and the illusion of demonic control when they are disordered in themselves and in their relations. The "political" is encompassed in the cosmic hierarchy, and is secondary, as well as mediating, offerees with greater ordering capacities in the cosmic scheme. The ability of the gods and demons to manifest themselves in different forms is contained in the concept of avatara.
