Mandukya Karika, verse 4.31-32

Text

आदावन्ते च यन्नास्ति वर्तमानेऽपि तत्तथा ।
वितथैः सदृशाः सन्तोऽवितथा इव लक्षिताः ॥ ३१ ॥
सप्रयोजनता तेषां स्वप्ने विप्रतिपद्यते ।
तस्मादाद्यन्तवत्त्वेन मिथ्यैव खलु ते स्मृताः ॥ ३२ ॥

ādāvante ca yannāsti vartamāne'pi tattathā |
vitathaiḥ sadṛśāḥ santo'vitathā iva lakṣitāḥ || 31 ||
saprayojanatā teṣāṃ svapne vipratipadyate |
tasmādādyantavattvena mithyaiva khalu te smṛtāḥ || 32 ||

31. That which is non-existent at the beginning and in the end, is necessarily so (non-existent) in the middle. The objects we see are illusions, still they are regarded as if real.

32. The serving of some purpose by them (i.e., the objects of waking experience) is contradicted in dream. Therefore they are doubtlessly recognised to be illusory (by the wise) on account of their having a beginning and an end.

Shankara Bhashya (commentary)

These two verses have been explained before in the chapter on Illusion (Chapter II. 6, 7). They are quoted here again in connection with the topics which are discussed in relation to the unreality of the universe and liberation.