Chapter-17, Verse 16

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 17.16:

न हिंसा नैव कारुण्यं नौद्धत्यं न च दीनता ।

नाश्चर्यं नैव च क्षोभः क्षीणसंसरणे नरे ॥ १६ ॥

There is no aggression or compassion, no pride or humility, no wonder or confusion for the man whose days of running about are over. || 16 ||

The meaning of this verse is that the enlightened person, who has Realized the Supreme Self and transcended the cycle of birth and death, is free from all dualities and emotions. He does not harm or pity anyone, he does not feel arrogant or lowly, he does not marvel or get disturbed by anything. He is serene, detached, and content in his own nature.

This verse expresses the state of jivanmukta, or the liberated while living, who has attained the highest Knowledge and Bliss. He is not affected by the changing phenomena of the world, which are illusory and impermanent. He sees the same Self in all beings and remains in the state of oneness and equanimity.

This verse also implies that the ordinary person, who is still bound by the cycle of birth and death, is subject to various emotions and reactions, depending on his attachment and identification with the body and mind. He experiences happiness and sorrow, love and hate, fear and anger, etc. He is restless, dissatisfied, and ignorant of his true nature.

Similar verses from other Vedic texts are:

- Yogavashishta 6.2.8:

यदा न लिप्यते चित्तं नानावस्थासु सर्वदा ।

तदा जीवन्मुक्तो भवेत् सर्वभूतात्मभावनः ॥

When the mind is not attached to the various states at all times, then one becomes Realized while living, having the vision of the Self in all beings. ||

- Bhagavad Gita 5.18:

विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि ।

शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः ॥

The wise see the same in a Brahmin endowed with learning and humility, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and an outcaste. ||

- Mundaka Upanishad 3.1.4:

यदा पश्यः पश्यते रुक्मवर्णं कर्तारमीशं पुरुषं ब्रह्मयोनिम् । तदा विद्वान् पुण्यपापे विधूय निरञ्जनः परमं साम्यमुपैति ॥

When he sees the golden-hued creator, the Lord, the Purusha, the source of Brahman; then the wise one, shaking off good and evil, becomes stainless, and attains the Supreme equality. ||