Write a note on the criteria of reality proposed by Samkara.

Adi Shankaracharya, a key figure in Advaita Vedanta, proposed a set of criteria for discerning the nature of reality, contributing to his philosophy of nondualism. These criteria, known as the "Brahma Satyam Jagan Mithya Jivo Brahmaiva Na Aparah," outline the relationship between the ultimate reality (Brahman), the empirical world (Jagat), and the individual self (Jiva).

1. Brahma Satyam (Brahman is the only reality): According to Shankara, Brahman, the absolute, formless, and attributeless reality, is the only ultimate and unchanging truth. All other phenomena are considered as manifestations or appearances within Brahman.

2. Jagan Mithya (The world is an illusion): The empirical world, including the diversity of names and forms, is deemed as Mithya or illusory. Shankara emphasizes that the world is not ultimately real but has a relative, dependent reality. It is subject to change and has no inherent existence.

3. Jivo Brahmaiva Na Aparah (The individual self is identical to Brahman): Shankara posits that the individual self (Jiva) is not distinct from Brahman. The essence of the individual soul is identical to the ultimate reality. The apparent separation between the individual self and Brahman is considered an illusion.

These criteria reflect Advaita Vedanta's central tenet of non-dualism, asserting that the multiplicity observed in the world is a result of ignorance (avidya), and true understanding reveals the indivisible oneness of the self (Atman) with Brahman. Shankara's criteria offer a framework for transcending empirical appearances and recognizing the ultimate reality as the sole, unchanging truth.