1

This world is all mind-maya.

But the mind is not in any specific place.

The world is seen in the Self

as the blue is seen in the sky.

2

This apparent world is an image, created in the mind

by AVIDYA, the veiling ignorance.

When this is re-absorbed by VIDYA, the clear knowledge,

it is as though the whole world were a mere configuration.

3

To a coward, the ghost looming in the darkness seems real.

To the wise man, the wakeful state is seen

as such a dream-world.

4

This world is seen as willed images.

It is seen only when willing is present,

as when a rope is mistaken for a snake.

5

There is no difference whatever

between the willed images and the mind.

That AVIDYA-darkness state (which is the mind),

is a marvel like Indra's magic.

6

To the wise man, this world shines in the Self like a mirage.

To an infant, by confusion, even a reflection

may seem real.

7

As milk remains milk even when churned,

The Absolute Self does not change into some other form.

Therefore, the whole world exists only as an image in the Self,

as if created by Indra's magic. (Indriyas = the senses.)

8

MAYA herself is the fundamental cause of the apparent world.

Everything here is only the maya-maker

creating with magical, un-Real effects.

9

To the mature mind, this universe

seems like a sky-forest mirage in the Self.

But a child sees even a puppet-form as real.

10

One alone is Real, not a second.

What is un-Real seems indeed to be Real.

But the Siva-lingam is stone only,

not a second made by the mason.