Chapter-16, Verse 6

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 16.6:

विरक्तो विषयद्वेष्टा रागी विषयलोलुपः ।

ग्रहमोक्षविहीनस्तु न विरक्तो न रागवान् ॥ ६ ॥

One man is abstemious and averse to the senses, another is greedy and attached to them;

But he who is free from both taking and rejecting is neither abstemious nor greedy. || 6 ||

The meaning of this verse is that there are two kinds of people in the world: those who renounce the sense objects out of hatred or fear, and those who indulge in them out of attachment or desire. Both of them are bound by their dualistic views and are not free from the influence of the senses. The one who is truly detached is neither averse nor attached to anything, but remains in a state of equanimity and contentment. Such a person is neither a renunciant nor a hedonist, but a Knower of the Self.

This verse conveys the essence of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, which teaches that the Ultimate Reality is non-dual and transcends all distinctions and categories. The sense objects are not inherently good or bad, but are projections of the mind based on ignorance and conditioning. The wise person realizes that the Self is the only Reality and is unaffected by the changing phenomena of the world. He or she does not identify with the body, mind, or ego, but rests in the pure awareness of the Self that is ever blissful and peaceful.

This verse also gives practical guidance for spiritual seekers who want to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It advises them to avoid both extremes of renunciation and indulgence, which are based on attachment to the results of actions. Instead, they should perform their duties with detachment and dedication, without expecting any reward or fearing any loss. They should also cultivate a balanced lifestyle that does not harm their physical, mental, or spiritual health. They should neither eat too much nor too little, sleep too much nor too little, work too much nor too little, etc. By following this middle path, they can gradually overcome their attachments and aversions, and attain the state of Supreme Freedom.

There are some similar verses from other Vedic texts that echo the same message as this verse. 

- Bhagavad Gita 2.48:

योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनंजय |

सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते || ४८ ||

Perform your actions, O Arjun, being steadfast in Yog, abandoning attachment and remaining equipoised in success and failure. Equanimity of mind is called Yog. || 48 ||

- Isha Upanishad 1:

ईशा वास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् | तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद् धनम् || १ ||

All this—whatever exists in this changing universe—should be covered by the Lord. Protect yourself by renouncing it and do not covet anyone’s wealth. || 1 ||

- Katha Upanishad 2.1.11:

नाविरतो दुष्चरितान्नाशान्तो नासमाहितः |

नाशान्तमानसो वाऽपि प्रज्ञानेनैनमाप्नुयात् || ११ ||

One who has not turned away from bad conduct, whose senses are not subdued, who is not tranquil, whose mind is not at peace, cannot attain this Self even through Knowledge. || 11 ||