In Vedanta, ignorance (ajnanam) plays a pivotal role in the human condition, primarily illustrated through the concept of adhyasa, or superimposition. This philosophical framework emphasizes that while the Self is not entirely unknown, its true nature is often obscured by a mistaken identification with the non-Self. The Adhyasa bhasya of Adi Sankara elucidates this dynamic, revealing how ignorance leads to misapprehensions about our identity and existence.