Mandukya Karika, verse 4.31-32

Sanskrit text, IAST transliteration and English translation

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.

Anandagiri Tika (glossary)

The opponent may contend thus:—Let the state of liberation have a beginning and an end. What is the harm in thus conceiving the state of liberation? The reply is that if a thing has a beginning and an end. it does not exist in the middle also. That is to say, it has no existence whatsoever. That we see its existence is due to our ignorance. The familiar instance is that of the mirage. The mirage has no existence prior to its vision by the deluded and it does not exist when the illusion vanishes. That we see the mirage at all is due to our ignorance. Therefore if we accept the idea of liberation as conceived by the opponent then it would be nonexistent. The opponent may again contend that one cannot quench his thirst with the water of the mirage. But liberation is conducive to our infinite happiness. The reply to this contention is that liberation as conceived by the opponent, being illusory, serves no purpose whatsoever. If liberation should have both beginning and end, then it would be like our dream or waking experiences. In the waking state a man may feel that he has enjoyed a hearty feast, but immediately after going to sleep he may experience in dream ravenous hunger. In that case the waking experiences do not serve him a lasting purpose. Any experience which has a beginning or an end is illusory from the standpoint of Reality.