Mandukya Upanishad and the Gaudapada Karikas
Summary
This essay delves into the Mandukya Upanishad – the shortest of the principal Upanishads – and the associated Mānḍukya Kārikās attributed to the philosopher Gaudapada. The Upanishad outlines the four states of consciousness symbolised by the syllable ‘Om’: waking, dreaming, deep sleep and the ineffable fourth state (turīya). Gaudapada’s karikās expand upon these themes and advocate a non‑dualistic (advaita) interpretation. The author surveys commentaries by Śaṅkara and other Vedānta scholars to determine whether the karikās were originally part of the Upanishad or later expositions. Manuscript evidence suggests that the prose passages of the Upanishad circulated independently and that the karikās were appended later as a separate treatise. The article discusses doctrinal differences between advaita and other schools, noting Gaudapada’s debt to Buddhist concepts of non‑origination. It concludes by reflecting on the text’s influence on medieval Vedānta and its enduring relevance for metaphysical enquiry.
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Conclusion
By tracing textual histories and philosophical debates, the article clarifies the relationship between the Mandukya Upanishad and Gaudapada’s karikās. It argues that understanding their distinct origins enriches appreciation of Advaita Vedānta and its conversation with Buddhist thought.