Sage Sankara was criticized for his views on Maya (illusion) without understanding him.+

Sage Sankara was criticized for his views on Maya (illusion) without understanding him. He said that:~

(1) Brahman (Atman) is real

(2) the universe is unreal,

(3) Brahman is the universe.

He did not stop at the second because the third explains the other two. It signifies that the universe is real if perceived as the ‘Self’ and unreal if perceived as apart from the Self. Hence Maya or illusion and reality are one and the same.

The realists criticize the concept of illusion without understanding it. Sage  Sankara said that: ~

(1) Consciousness (Atman) is real

(2) The universe is unreal,

(3) Consciousness is the universe because the universe is merely an illusion created out of consciousness.

One need not stop at the second because the third explains the other two. It signifies that the universe is real if perceived as the Self (Atman or consciousness) and unreal if perceived as apart from the Self (consciousness). Hence illusion and reality are one and the same because both are one in essence. 

Realizing the Soul or consciousness as the Self is Self-Realization or Truth-Realization of God ~ Realization.

Thus, Sage Sankara‘s declaration is the rational truth, the scientific truth, and also the ultimate truth. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar