Maitri (Maitrāyaṇīya) Upaniṣad 7.8.p1

7.8.p1

bṛhaspatirvai śukro bhūtvendrasyābhayāyāsurebhyaḥ kṣayāyemāmavidyāmasṛjat tayā śivamaśivamityuddiśantyaśivaṃ śivamiti vedādiśāstrahiṃsakadharmābhidhyānamastviti vadanti ato naināmabhidhīyetānyathaiṣā bandhyevaiṣā ratimātraṃ phalamasyā vṛttacyutasyeva nārambhaṇīyetyevaṃ hyāha
dūramete viparīte viṣūcī avidyā yā ca vidyeti jñātā |
vidyābhīpsituṃ naciketasaṃ manye na tvā kāmā bahavo lolupante ||

9. Verily, Bṛihaspati [the teacher of the gods] became Śukra [the teacher of the Asuras], and for the security of

Indra created this ignorance (avidyā) for the destruction of the Asuras (devils).

By this [ignorance] men declare that the inauspicious is auspicious, and that the auspicious is inauspicious. They say that there should be attention to law (dharma) which is destructive of the Veda and of other Scriptures (śāstra). Hence, one should not attend to this [teaching]. It is false. It is like a barren woman. Mere pleasure is the fruit thereof, as also of one who deviates from the proper course. It should not be entered upon. For thus has it been said :—

Widely opposite and asunder are these two:
Ignorance (avidyā), and what is known as ‘knowledge.’
I think Naciketas desirous of obtaining knowledge!
Many desires rend thee not.
Knowledge and non-knowledge—
He who this pair conjointly (saha) knows,
With non-knowledge passing over death,
With knowledge wins the immortal.
Those abiding in the midst of ignorance,
Self-wise, thinking themselves learned,
Hard smitten, go around deluded,
Like blind men led by one who is himself blind.