Abstract

This essay is a translation and study of selected verses from Gaudapada's Karika on the Mandukya Upanishad with Sankara's Commentary. The study of this text is beneficial because it provides a very clear exposition of Advaita Vedanta. It starts with an examination of our everyday life. In this examination, reason is brought to its very limit and it is shown that in order to come to the Truth one must go beyond the limitations of reason to the level of experience. It is shown clearly that reason can take us only so far; that after we must turn to experience which no reason can comprehend. ;There are a few English translations of the Karika and its Commentary. However, I have found that for some parts of the Karika, there is no adequate translation into English. This is especially true of translations of the fourth verse of the second chapter of the Karika. This verse gives the argument which shows that objects of the waking state are illusory. In this translation, I have attempted to express the argument clearly. I have found that Sankara's commentary is completely consistent with the precise argument given in this verse of the Karika. The commentary opens up the argument and gives a clear elucidation of it. ;Through an examination of the experience of all the three states, the Karika shows that the world in which we live is merely an appearance. Ordinarily, we are deceived by the appearance and take the world to be real. The Karika's examination of the world is only for the purpose of loosening the bonds of this deception. ;Vedanta is able to free us from the deception because it has found that the cause of the ignorance is our incorrect perspective. When we come to the correct perspective, we will be able to find the answers and the peace which we seek. This change in perspective goes beyond the limits of reason and language. It is known through experience and this experience can only be inadequately expressed through images and myths which only serve to point to that Reality beyond thought