Mandukya Karika, verse 3.9

Sanskrit text, IAST transliteration and English translation

मरणे संभवे चैव गत्यागमनयोर् अपि ।
स्थितौ सर्वशरीरेषु आकाशेनाविलक्षणः ॥ ९ ॥

maraṇe saṃbhave caiva gatyāgamanayor api |
sthitau sarvaśarīreṣu ākāśenāvilakṣaṇaḥ || 9 ||

9. Ātman, in regard to its birth, death, going and coming (i.e., transmigration) and its existing in different bodies, is not dissimilar to the Ākāśa (i.e., the Ghaṭākāśa or the ether portioned off by a jar).

Shankara Bhashya (commentary)

The point which has been just stated is again thus developed:—Birth, death, etc., of the Ātman as seen in all bodies is like the creation, destruction, coming, going and existence of the Ghaṭākāśa (or ether enclosed within a jar).

Anandagiri Tika (glossary)

It may be contended that the Jīva after death, as a result of the meritorious deeds done in this life, goes to heaven. If a sinner# he is thrown into hell. After his enjoyment of happiness or misery in heaven or hell, he again takes birth. In due course he departs from this world. This theory of transmigration is inconsistent with that of the non-dual Ātman. The text refutes this contention. All these diverse experiences regarding Ātman are due to Avidyā and therefore not real. Like the ether, Ātman which is pure, undifferentiated and one, can never be subject to transmigration, etc., which are falsely superimposed upon it through Avidyā.