Is Our Universe an Illusion or a Reality?

Looking through life's deceptions

- Shri Vinay Koul

Sri Adi Shankaracharya asserts the essence of non-dual philosophy in these Sanskrit aphorisms: Brahma Satyam Jagat Mithya, Jivo Brahmev Naparah.

In effect, these lines mean that the Pure Consciousness is the only truth and the universe and everything in the universe is an illusion. AIso, every individual is infinite and not limited.

This philosophy is known as Advaita Vedanta. It is a non-dualistic (one-without-a-second) philosophy. Advaita Vedanta derives its essence from Upanishads, Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Brahma Sutras. These three are also known as Prasthanatrayi.

One might argue that since we can experience the world, hence it exists. But the question is whether we can trust our senses which are limited anyway. The sky seems to be blue, but in reality, it is not. The blue colour is an optical illusion. Hence, we cannot trust our worldly experiences. What is a calm room for us, is a noisy room for a dog because it can hear sounds that are not audible to humans. So, experiences are not trustworthy and are subjective and conditional.

In Adi Shankaracharya's words, this world exists like a reflection in the mirror. Reflection exists in a way and yet it does not actually exist. If we break a mirror, it will not affect the reflection because it (reflection) did not ever exist. Reflection is a virtual reality that 'seems' to exist but it is not a reality.

'The virtual reality only exists when some conditions get fulfilled'. For instance, a mirror, light, vision etc. need to be there for reflection to be. Though the reflection is 'useful' yet it is not real. Similarly, data in a computer is useful but is a virtual reality, hence not real. Similarly, longitude and latitude lines on earth are useful but not real. The combustion engine produces 'horse power'. It is the horse power that impels a vehicle. This 'horse power' is virtual in nature and not real.