Chapter-18, Verse 36

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.36

नाप्नोति कर्मणा मोक्षं विमूढोऽभ्यासरूपिणा।

धन्यो विज्ञानमात्रेण मुक्तस्तिष्ठत्यविक्रियः॥१८- ३६॥

The ignorant does not achieve Realization even through regular practice, but the fortunate remains free and actionless simply by discrimination. || 18.36 ||

The meaning of this verse is that mere ritualistic actions or mechanical repetitions of mantras cannot lead to God Realization, which is the Ultimate Goal of human life. Realization is attained only by the one who has the wisdom to discern the Real from the unreal, the eternal from the transient, and the Self from the non-self. Such a wise person is not bound by any actions, nor does he or she perform any actions. He or she abides in the state of freedom and peace, with a still mind.

The cause of bondage and suffering is ignorance (avidya) of one's True Nature, which makes one identify with the body, mind, and senses, and engage in actions motivated by desire and attachment. The remedy for this ignorance is knowledge (vidya) of one's True Nature, which makes one realize that one is not the doer or the enjoyer of any actions, but the witness and the bliss of all actions. Such knowledge frees one from the cycle of birth and death, and enables one to live in the world without being affected by it.

This verse can be compared with similar verses from other Vedic texts. 

- Yogavashishta 29.30

यथा विद्यात्तथा कुर्यात्कर्म नैव प्रवर्तते।

विद्यया मुक्तिरित्येवं वेदान्तेषु प्रवर्तते॥

One should act as one knows, and then no action arises. By Knowledge alone one attains Realization, thus it is taught in the Vedanta. ||

- Mundaka Upanishad, 3.2.4

न कर्मणा न प्रजया धनेन त्यागेनैके अमृतत्वमानशुः। परेण नाकं निहितं गुहायां विभ्राजते यद्यतयो विशन्ति॥

Not by action, nor by offspring, nor by wealth, but by renunciation alone some attained immortality. That which is hidden in the highest heaven, shines forth when the wise enter into it. ||

- Bhagavad Gita, 2.47

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥

You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction. ||