तद् असारतया देवि विज्ञेयं शक्रजालवत्। मायास्वप्नोपमं चैव गन्धर्वनगरभ्रमम्॥ ९॥

This verse describes the illusory nature of the material world and the transient, deceptive aspects of existence. It uses metaphors to convey the idea that the world and its phenomena are illusory, like dreams or mirages, and that they can only be understood as such by the enlightened.

Transliteration and Meaning:

1. तद् असारतया देवि विज्ञेयं शक्रजालवत्।
   “Tad asāratayā devi vijñeyaṁ śakra-jāla-vat.”
   “That should be understood, O Goddess, as devoid of substance, like the net of Indra.”

   • Asāratayā means “devoid of substance,” indicating that the nature of the world is essentially empty or illusory. Vijñeyaṁ means “should be understood” or “comprehended.”
   • Śakra-jāla-vat refers to the net of Indra (Indra’s net), a metaphor in many Hindu and Buddhist texts describing the interconnectedness of all things in the universe, yet also pointing out the illusory nature of this interconnectedness. In this case, it highlights the emptiness or illusion of all worldly phenomena.

2. मायास्वप्नोपमं चैव गन्धर्वनगरभ्रमम्।
   “Māyā-svapnopamaṁ caiva gandharva-nagara-bhramam.”
   “It is like a dream created by illusion, or the wandering of a celestial city (Gandharva-nagara).”

   • Māyā-svapnopamaṁ means “like a dream created by illusion.” Māyā refers to the divine illusion or the world of appearances that distract from the true reality. Svapnopamaṁ means “like a dream,” suggesting that the material world, much like a dream, lacks permanent reality.
   • Gandharva-nagara-bhramam refers to the wandering or illusion of a Gandharva-nagara (the city of celestial musicians or divine beings), which is often depicted as a city that appears real but is, in fact, a fleeting illusion. It symbolizes the impermanence and deceptive nature of worldly attachments.

Overall Meaning:

“The world should be understood as devoid of true substance, like the net of Indra, and as illusory as a dream or the wandering of a celestial city.”

Philosophical Context:

1. Māyā (Illusion):

   • In many Indian philosophies, Māyā refers to the illusory nature of the physical world. The verse points out that the material world appears real, but in essence, it is transient and lacking in true substance. It reflects the idea that worldly phenomena are only appearances, hiding the true nature of existence.

2. Indra’s Net (Śakra-jāla):

   • The metaphor of Indra’s net comes from Buddhist and Hindu philosophy. It represents the interconnectedness of all things in the universe. However, while everything is interconnected, it also implies that everything is illusory, like reflections in a net, where no single reflection is the true reality. The verse suggests that the perceived unity of the world is not the ultimate truth.

3. Dreams and Celestial City (Gandharva-nagara):

   • Dreams are often used as metaphors in spiritual texts to describe the impermanent nature of the world. A dream is something that seems real while it occurs but fades away upon waking. Similarly, the material world is compared to an illusion that, upon spiritual awakening, reveals itself as ephemeral.
   • The Gandharva-nagara symbolizes something that appears magnificent and permanent but is, in fact, fleeting and illusory. This can be seen as a metaphor for worldly experiences and pleasures, which may appear grand but are ultimately temporary and deceptive.

Interpretation:

This verse encourages the seeker to realize the illusory nature of the world. The material universe, with all its grandeur and diversity, is like a dream or a magical city — it has no true substance. By understanding this, one can detach from worldly desires and attachments, seeing them as temporary phenomena within the grand scheme of existence. The verse emphasizes the need to transcend the illusion of reality and seek the eternal truth beyond the physical world.