Chapter-16, Verse 5

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 16.5:

इदं कृतमिदं नेति द्वन्द्वैर्मुक्तं यदा मनः ।

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षेषु निरपेक्षं तदा भवेत् ॥ ५ ॥

When the mind is freed from such pairs of opposites as, “I have done this”, and “I have not done that”, it becomes indifferent to merit, wealth, sensuality and liberation. || 5 ||

The mind is the source of bondage and liberation, depending on whether it is attached or detached from the dualities of the world. The mind that is attached to the results of actions, whether good or bad, becomes entangled in the cycle of birth and death. The mind that is detached from the results of actions, whether good or bad, becomes free from the cycle of birth and death. The detached mind does not care for the four goals of human life: dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (pleasure) and moksha (liberation). The detached mind is content with whatever comes its way, without any expectation or desire.

The verse implies that the True Nature of the Self/Atman is beyond the mind. The Self/Atman is Pure Consciousness, which is unaffected by the dualities of the world. The Self/Atman is ever free, ever blissful, ever peaceful and ever complete. The Self/Atman does not depend on anything external for its existence or happiness. The Self/Atman is self-luminous, self-evident and self-sufficient. The Self/Atman is one without a second, non-dual and indivisible.

The verse also suggests that the way to Realize the True Nature of the Self/Atman is to renounce the identification with the mind. The renunciation of the mind does not mean the suppression or destruction of the mind, but rather the transcendence of the mind. The transcendence of the mind means to abide in the Awareness aka Constant Remembrance of the Self/Atman, which is beyond the mind. The Awareness of the Self/Atman is not a State or an experience, but rather the very essence and substratum of all states and experiences. This superfine and indescribable awareness is also called the Turiya State in Vedant. The Awareness of the Self/Atman is not something to be attained or achieved, but rather something to be recognized and revealed.

Similar verses from other Vedic texts that convey the same message as this verse.

- Bhagavad Gita Verse 2.55:

प्रजहाति यदा कामान् सर्वान् पार्थ मनोगतान् । 

आत्मन्येवात्मना तुष्टः स्थितप्रज्ञस्तदोच्यते ॥

When he completely renounces all desires arising in his mind;

O Partha, being satisfied in his own Self by his own Self;

then he is said to be a man of steady wisdom.

This verse describes the state of a person who has Realized his True Self as Pure Consciousness, which is free from all desires and attachments. Such a person does not depend on anything external for his happiness, but rather finds joy in his own Self alone. Such a person is said to have attained steady wisdom, which is the highest goal of human life.

- Mundaka Upanishad Verse 3.1.1:

द्वा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वृक्षं परिषस्वजाते ।

तयोरन्यः पिप्पलं स्वाद्वत्ति अनश्नन् अन्यो अभिचाकशीति ।।

Two birds that are ever associated and have similar names, cling to the same tree.

Of these one eats (the fruits) of divergent tastes, and other looks on without eating.

This verse compares the individual self (jiva) and the Supreme Self (Brahman) to two birds that are inseparable and identical, but have different roles. The individual self is the one who is engaged in the worldly activities and experiences the fruits of his actions, whether good or bad. The Supreme Self is the one who is detached from the worldly activities and remains as a Witness of everything, without being affected by anything. The Supreme Self is the True Nature of the individual self, but the individual self does not realize this due to ignorance.

- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Verse 4.4.19:

यत्र नान्यत् पश्यति नान्यच्छृणोति नान्यद् विजानाति स भूमा ।

अथ यत्रान्यत् पश्यति अन्यच्छृणोति अन्यद् विजानाति तद् अल्पम् ॥

Where one sees nothing else, hears nothing else, knows nothing else, that is Infinite.

But where one sees something else, hears something else, knows something else, that is finite.

This verse distinguishes between the Infinite and the finite realities. The Infinite Reality is the non-dual Brahman, which is the only Reality that exists. The finite reality is the dual world of names and forms, which is an illusion projected by ignorance. The Infinite Reality is the source of all Bliss and Knowledge, while the finite reality is the cause of all sorrow and ignorance. The infinite Reality is to be realized as one's own Self, while the finite reality is to be renounced as unreal.