Beyond Illusion: An Introduction to the Witness-Self
In verses 33 to 38 of the Mandukya Karika’s second chapter, Gaudapada expounds on the ultimate nature of reality—the non-dual Self or Turiya. He asserts that the Self is beyond all empirical characteristics such as name, form, or activity. It is ever-pure, untouched by the illusory play of duality, and stands as the silent witness of all experiences. The world, as perceived, is declared to be a projection of Maya, having no real existence apart from the Self. Real knowledge lies in realizing the cessation of appearances and abiding in the peaceful, formless consciousness. These verses guide the seeker to transcend dream-like illusions and awaken to the eternal truth of Advaita. For More Information Click Here
Verses 33–38: Turiya – The Witness Beyond Duality
Karika 33
Text (Sanskrit):
न लिङ्गं तस्य किञ्चिद्वै न नाम रूपमस्ति च।
अतो निरात्मको ज्ञेयः शान्तः पाथसमोऽद्वयः॥
Translation:
That (ultimate reality) has no characteristic mark whatsoever—no name, no form. Therefore, it is to be known as devoid of attributes, peaceful, like the ocean, and non-dual.
Explanation:
The Self, or Turiya, cannot be described by any attributes—name, form, or mark. It is peace itself, undisturbed like a vast ocean, and absolutely non-dual.
Karika 34
Text (Sanskrit):
दृश्यं स्वप्नमयो वापि यो वै तं प्राप्यते जनैः।
प्रपञ्चोपशमं शान्तं तं भूमं ब्रह्म यं विदुः॥
Translation:
That which is realized by people in dreams or in the waking state, which is the cessation of all phenomena, tranquil, and infinite—that is known as Brahman.
Explanation:
True realization is not of any phenomenal object but of Brahman, the tranquil, infinite Reality that lies beyond waking and dream states.
Karika 35
Text (Sanskrit):
प्रपञ्चो यदि विद्येत निवर्तेत न संशयः।
मायामात्रमिदं द्वैतं तद्वैद्यमेव शाश्वतम्॥
Translation:
If the phenomenal world were real, it would not cease to exist. But since it is only an illusion (Maya), the knowledge of non-duality alone is eternal.
Explanation:
The world appears real but vanishes in deep sleep and realization, showing it’s illusory. Only non-dual knowledge (Advaita) is real and permanent.
Karika 36
Text (Sanskrit):
आत्मायत्तं जगत्सर्वं आत्मनः सन्निधौ स्थितम्।
आत्मा तन्निरपेक्षो हि निर्लेपो निर्गुणः शुचिः॥
Translation:
The entire universe depends on the Self and exists in proximity to it. But the Self is independent, untainted, without attributes, and pure.
Explanation:
The Self supports the world, just as a screen supports a movie, but remains untouched and unaffected by the appearances projected on it. For More Information Click Here
Karika 37
Text (Sanskrit):
यस्मान्न जायते किञ्चिद्येन जायेत किञ्चन।
स एव सर्वदा साक्षी स आत्मा सिव उच्यते॥
Translation:
From which nothing is born and by which nothing is born—That alone is the eternal Witness, the Self, and is called Shiva (the auspicious).
Explanation:
The Self is not a cause or an effect. It is the eternal witness, beyond birth and change. It is Shiva—not as a deity, but as the ever-pure consciousness.
Karika 38
Text (Sanskrit):
एक एवात्मनो दृश्यं प्रतिषिद्धं पुनः पुनः।
न ह्यात्मा दृश्यते किञ्चित्साक्षिणं साक्षिणो विभुः॥
Translation:
The multiplicity (duality) that appears in the Self is negated again and again. The Self never sees any object, as it is the witness of all, and itself all-pervading.
Explanation:
Multiplicity is illusion. The Self doesn’t “see” anything objectively—it is the ever-present witness, unchanging, observing without becoming involved.
Shankara’s Insights on the Nature of Turiya in Verses 33–38
Adi Shankaracharya’s insights on Mandukya Karika verses 33 to 38 offer a profound affirmation of the non-dual Self (Turiya) as the only reality. In verse 33, he explains that the Self is entirely free from empirical attributes like name, form, or action. It is formless, peaceful, and indivisible—beyond all that can be perceived or described. Verse 34 underscores that what is seen in waking or dream states is unreal, while true knowledge lies in realizing the tranquil, infinite Brahman, which is the cessation of all illusion. In verse 35, Shankara reinforces the doctrine of Māyā, explaining that if the world were real, it would not cease to exist. Its disappearance in deep sleep and upon realization proves its illusory nature, whereas non-dual awareness is eternal. Verse 36 highlights that although the world appears within the Self, the Self is completely independent, pure, and untouched—just as a rope remains unaffected by being mistaken for a snake. In verse 37, Shankara describes the Self as neither a cause nor an effect. It is the eternal witness, ever-liberated, and referred to as “Śiva” not in a personal sense, but as the auspicious, changeless reality. Finally, in verse 38, he explains that the Self never becomes an object of perception. It is the ever-present witness, never subject to duality, and all appearances of multiplicity are repeatedly negated through knowledge. Thus, these verses collectively guide the seeker to transcend illusion and recognize the Self as the sole, non-dual truth. For More Information Click Here
Conclusion
In conclusion, verses 33 to 38 of the Mandukya Karika, illuminated by Adi Shankaracharya’s commentary, offer a powerful revelation of the Self as formless, pure, and ever-free. All appearances of duality, name, and form are shown to be superimpositions caused by ignorance. The true nature of the Self is untouched by the world, unaffected by time, and beyond cause and effect. Realization lies in seeing through the illusion of multiplicity and abiding in the peaceful, non-dual awareness—Turiya. Shankara guides the seeker to shift focus from the transient to the eternal, from the seen to the seer. This knowledge alone leads to liberation, dissolving all notions of bondage.
Join Our Classes:
The Upanishads are more than just ancient texts—they are timeless guides to living with clarity, balance, and inner peace. Our classes make their profound wisdom easy to understand and apply in everyday life. Join us to explore these teachings and discover a new way of seeing yourself and the world!
