Mara is the master illusionist of Buddhism. He/she appears before Siddhartha the Buddha-to-be, who is sitting under the Bo tree on the verge of his final enlightenment, to co-opt and destroy Siddhartha’s spiritual quest. Mara says, “How presumptuous of Siddhartha … to assume the cross-legged posture on the seat of Wisdom! He is desirous of passing beyond my control but I will never allow it.” (These and subsequent quotes are from “The Buddha: His life Retold by Robert Allen Mitchell.”)
Mara is the classic narcissist. He wants to own and control everything — including Siddhartha’s spiritual accomplishment. Mara tries various strategems on Siddhartha; he sends hailstorms, beautiful women, the promises of gain, fame, honor and glory — all to distract Siddhartha from his goal. These strategies are not idle; Mara could not be a true threat to Siddhartha’s efforts unless Mara is some version or shadow of Siddhartha himself. Mara is Siddhartha’s unconscious double; Mara has experienced everything Siddhartha has experienced — though he has no real understanding of it all. Mara knows all about the spiritual journey, and speaks Siddhartha’s spiritual language. In fact — or so I imagine — Mara looks and feels just like Siddhartha, both to Siddhartha himself and to other people. Mara seems to have all the talents and attributes of a truly realized spiritual leader. That is why he is so dangerous.