365bet

Mandukya Upanishad (Gaudapa Karika and Shankara Bhashya)

by Swami Nikhilananda | 1949 | 115,575 words | ISBN-13: 9788175050228

This is verse 4.96 of the Mandukya Karika English translation, including commentaries by Gaudapada (Karika), Shankara (Bhashya) and a glossary by Anandagiri (Tika). Alternate transliteration: Māṇḍūkya-upaniṣad 4.96, Gauḍapāda Kārikā, Śaṅkara Bhāṣya, Ānandagiri Ṭīkā.

Sanskrit text, IAST transliteration and English translation

अजेष्वजमसंक्रान्तं धर्मेष� ज्ञानमिष्यते �
यत� � क्रमते ज्ञानमसंगं ते� कीर्तितम� � ९६ �

ajeṣvajamasaṃkrānta� dharmeṣu jñānamiṣyate |
yato na kramate jñānamasaṃga� tena kīrtitam || 96 ||

96. Knowledge (consciousness), the essence of the īs (who are unborn), is admitted to be itself unborn and unrelated (to any external object). This knowledge is proclaimed to be unconditioned as it is not related to any other object (which, really speaking, does not exist).

Shankara Bhashya (commentary)

What constitutes the highest Wisdom (i.e., the wisdom of the knower of the non-dual Āٳ)? This is thus explained: Knowledge which constitutes the essence of the Dhūrmas (īs), unborn, immutable and identical with Āٳ, is also admitted to be unborn1 and immutable. It is just like the light and the heat belonging to the sun. Knowledge, being ever unrelated to other2 objects, is said to be unborn. As knowledge is, thus, unrelated to other objects, it is like the Āś, called unconditioned or absolute.

Anandagiri Tika (glossary)

1 Unborn, etc.—This refutes the theory of the realists who say that knowledge is an attribute of Āٳ and arises only by the contact of the mind with an external object. It has already been pointed out that the appearance of external objects is due to illusion. But consciousness (Āٳ) does not cease to exist in the absence of objects as in Yoga Samādhi or deep-sleep. Therefore the real nature of knowledge is that it is unborn and unattached. From the standpoint of Reality the ī is identical with consciousness like the identity of the sun with its heat and light.

2 Other objects—It is because such objects do not, from the standpoint of Reality, exist.

Let's grow together!

I humbly request your help to keep doing what I do best: provide the world with unbiased sources, definitions and images. Your donation direclty influences the quality and quantity of knowledge, wisdom and spiritual insight the world is exposed to.

Let's make the world a better place together!

Like what you read? Help to become even better: