The One and the Many

A helpful image might be that of the two poles, positive and negative, of an electrical system. One is not the other, but unless the two are there no current will pass between: so no real being, unless both co-principles are present and functioning

Every real being, save perhaps one, must be constituted by a real metaphysical composition or inner structure or complementary polarity of two correlative metaphysical co-principles within the unity of one being: namely, (1) an act of existence, by which it actually exists, is actively present in the universe of real beings; and (2) a limitting essence, by which it exists in this or that particular mode or manner of existing, as this or that particular being and not some other.

Hence all multiplicity and finitude, according to Sankara, is illusion, due to the veil of ignorance, Maya, though it appears to be real to those still wrapped in the mists of ignorance and not united with the Divine One, the only true reality