Chapter-18, Verse 20

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.20

प्रवृत्तौ वा निवृत्तौ वा नैव धीरस्य दुर्ग्रहः । यदा यत्कर्तुमायाति तत्कृत्वा तिष्ठतः सुखम् ॥ २० ॥

In activity or inactivity, the wise one has no attachment. Whatever he does, he does it happily, as it comes to him.

The meaning of this verse is that the enlightened person is free from the bondage of action and inaction, and is not attached to the fruits of his deeds. He does not have any preference or aversion to what he does, and he does not act out of ego or desire. He is content with whatever comes his way, and he remains in a state of Bliss.

This verse teaches us to live in the present moment, without worrying about the past or the future. The wise one does not dwell on the results of his actions, nor does he regret or rejoice over them. He accepts everything as the will of the Supreme Reality, and he does not identify himself with his body, mind, or senses. He is aware that he is the Pure Consciousness, which is unaffected by the changes and modifications of the phenomenal world.

This verse also shows us the way to overcome the duality of pleasure and pain, which is the cause of suffering. The wise one does not depend on external objects or situations for his happiness, nor does he get disturbed by them. He is self-sufficient and self-contented, and he enjoys the Inner Peace that surpasseth all understanding. He is not influenced by the pairs of opposites, such as heat and cold, honor and dishonor, praise and blame, etc. He is balanced and equanimous in all circumstances, and he does not lose his composure or tranquility.

This verse further reveals the secret of action in inaction, and inaction in action, which is the essence of karma yoga. The wise one does not renounce action, nor does he indulge in it. He performs his duties and responsibilities, without any selfish motive or expectation. He is not attached to the doer-ship or the enjoyer-ship of his actions, and he does not claim any ownership or agency over them. He is a mere instrument of the divine will, and he acts in harmony with the cosmic order. He is detached from the world, yet he is engaged in it.

Similar verses from Vedic texts, that convey the same or related message are:

- Bhagavad Gita 2.48

योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय । सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ॥ ४८ ॥

Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga.

This verse instructs Arjuna to practice karma yoga, by doing his duty as a warrior, without being attached to the outcome of the war. It also advises him to maintain a calm and steady mind, regardless of the success or failure of his actions. It defines yoga as the state of equanimity, which is the result of detachment and discrimination.

- Bhagavad Gita 2.52

यदा ते मोहकलिलं बुद्धिर्व्यतितरिष्यति । तदा गन्तासि निर्वेदं श्रोतव्यस्य श्रुतस्य च ॥ ५२ ॥

When your intellect crosses beyond the mire of delusion, then you shall attain to indifference on what has been heard and what is to be heard.

This verse tells Arjuna that when he transcends the ignorance and illusion that cloud his mind, he will attain to a state of dispassion and detachment from the worldly knowledge and scriptures. He will realize the Supreme Truth, which is beyond the words and concepts, and he will be free from the bondage of desire and attachment.

- Yogavashishta 6.2.18

अहं नास्मि न मे किञ्चित् नान्योऽस्ति न चाहम् । अयं विश्वमिदं सर्वं नास्ति नास्ति नास्ति ॥ १८ ॥

I am not, nor is anything mine, nor is there any other, nor am I.

This universe, this all, is not, is not, is not.

This verse expresses the ultimate negation of the ego and the world, which are the products of ignorance and delusion. It affirms the non-dual reality, which is the substratum of all appearances, and which is beyond the notions of existence and non-existence. It is the declaration of the highest wisdom, which is the realization of one's True Nature as the Absolute Consciousness.