Advaita Concepts: ‘The World—A Relative Reality’

The world is not an illusion according to Sankara. The world is relatively real (Vyavaharika Satta), while Brahman is absolutely real (Paramarthika Satta). The world is the product of Maya or Avidya. The unchanging Brahman appears as the changing world through Maya. Maya is a mysterious indescribable power of the Lord which hides the real and manifests itself as the unreal: Maya is not real, because it vanishes when you attain knowledge of the Eternal. It is not unreal also, because it exists till knowledge dawns in you. The superimposition of the world on Brahman is due to Avidya or ignorance.

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Bhagavad Gita Sankara Bhashya

Shankaracharya’s Bhagavad Gita Bhashyam

Translated by Swami Gambhirananda Presented here is the Bhagavad Gita with the commentary of Sri Adi Sankaracharya translated by Swami Gambhirananda. This is one of the most important and revered works of Sri Sankaracharya along with his commentaries on Brahma-Sutras and Upanishads. Together called as “Prastana Traya” bhashya, these commentaries by Sankaracharya forms the central basis for the Advaita philosophy that he propounded.

Read the Actual Bhashya Here: Shankaracharya’s Bhagavad Gita Bhashyam