The beginning of Chapter 26 uses several analogies to describe the illusory nature of the world. What are these analogies and what do they signify?

The opening verses of Chapter 26 use several powerful analogies to illustrate the illusory nature of the world, a concept known as Maya. The first is that the universe is like a city reflected in a mirror; it appears manifest but does not truly exist there. The second analogy compares the world to a dream born of desires, which feels real but dissolves upon waking. Finally, Chapter 26 uses the classic Vedantic analogy of a rope being mistaken for a snake, a garland, or a stick due to ignorance. This signifies how our ignorance of our true Self causes us to perceive the illusory world as real and independent.