Why Shankaracharya said, "This World is Illusory?"

   "Any relational existence is unreal". Swamy Krishnananda, Advaitashrama, Hrishikesha.
    The discussion about the illusory nature of this world is going on for almost 1300 years since Shankaracharya.  The simple fact is that the objective phenomenal world is fleeting- subject to time and change is the inherent nature of all that exists here. The moment electromagnetic waves radiate from the stars and the sun time is created and wherever these rays reach space is created.Thus, everything comes withing the shadow of the Sun and limitations of time and space.Further, the effect is already an in-built phenomenon in the cause of creation! This cause and effect is also an illusion since all the objects occupy the illusory space and come within the grip of time.

   Further, we all live ina relative world. The absolute abstract is 'the brahmn' and there is no duality there. All that manifests from the absolute as the relative is also an illusion, a wave, like the waves of the sea! This Relative world  exists as long as one relates himself/herself to it! The moment one disconnects, does not relate the world disappears! If the son or daughter does not respond to parents, they cease to exist. So also, the worldly objects cease to exist when we do not relate, show interest in them? Thus, the relative world is so illusory that everything disappears when we just close our eyes.  Things disappear even when we look this side or that side or when we change our focus of attention. In fact everything disappears in deep sleep!

   Now, what is this we are talking about as family, friends and relatives? If one does not pick up the phone, the relation ends in a fit of anger? one wrong word at the wrong time, relation becomes sour?There are instances of brothers building wall across the living room in the ancestral homes? There are thousands of instances where the parents and children, siblings, close friends do not talk to each other due to one wrong utterance?? We are all under the principle of 'niyati', limitations of time, space, and causality. We grow and change. Every thing comes under the Law of Entropy and Laws of Thermodynamics. The very fact the world is ever-changing, nothing is certain in this world. Let's remember one thing- "When a person is established in his/her Self, established in a state of 'samadhi' (sama dheeh-equanimous state, of non-duality), that is the real state of existence. It is the only 'truth'.
  'Relationship' is a ship like the one described in the Gita as "A leaky boat caught in a stormy sea" where each one has to live in constant fear! No help can come from within and one has to look up for divine help? Under these circumstances, there is no hope for the living beings. Living is so delicate as such that it needs a careful review time and again. This prompted Shankaracharya to proclaim the unreliability of this worldly existence and also called for the prayer as in Bhaja Govindam. He said, nahin nahin rakshati dhukrum karane | Govindam bhaja moodhamate |