Mandukya Upanishad (Gaudapa Karika and Shankara Bhashya)

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

This is verse 4.48 of the Mandukya Karika English translation, including commentaries by Gaudapada (Karika), Shankara (Bhashya) and a glossary by Anandagiri (Tika). Alternate transliteration: Māṇḍūkya-upaniṣad 4.48, Gauḍapāda Kārikā, Śaṅkara Bhāṣya, Ānandagiri Ṭīkā.

Sanskrit text, IAST transliteration and English translation

अस्पन्दमानमलातमनाभासमजं यथा ।
अस्पन्दमानं विज्ञानमनाभासमजं तथा ॥ ४८ ॥

aspandamānamalātamanābhāsamajaṃ yathā |
aspandamānaṃ vijñānamanābhāsamajaṃ tathā || 48 ||

48. As the fire-brand, when not in motion, is free from all appearances and remains changeless, similarly, Consciousness, when not in motion (imaginary action), is free from all appearances and remains changeless.

Shankara Bhashya (commentary)

As that very fire-brand, when not in motion, does not take any form, straight or crooked, etc., becomes free from all appearances and remains changeless, so also the consciousness, which appears as moving through1 ignorance, when dissociated from the idea of motion on the disappearance of ignorance, becomes2 free from all appearances, as those of birth, etc., and remains unborn and motionless.

Anandagiri Tika (glossary)

1 Through, etc.—The appearance of forms in Consciousness is due to the projecting power (Vikṣepa Śakti) of Avidyā.

2 Becomes, etc.—That is to say, the Consciousness (i.e., Ātman) is seen as it really is. The fire-brand, when at rest, has no figure, as it is a point only. Even when moved, the fire-brand is, really, nothing but a point. It only appears as a circle or straight line. Similarly, even during the state of ignorance, Consciousness always, remains what it is, viz., changeless and motionless. It appears to be changing and possessing forms only on account of the ignorance: of the perceiving mind.

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