Chapter-18, Verse 49

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.49

यदा यत्कर्तुमायाति तदा तत्कुरुते ह्यृजुः।

शुभं वाप्यशुभं वापि तस्य चेष्टा हि बालवत्॥१८- ४९॥

When something comes to be done, he does it then, being straightforward. Good or bad, his actions are like those of a child. (18.49)

The verse describes the state of mind of a Realized person, who is free from attachment, desire, and ego. He does not act with any motive or expectation of results, but simply responds to the situations as they arise, without any deliberation or hesitation. He is spontaneous and natural, like a child, who does not discriminate between good and bad, right and wrong, or pleasant and unpleasant.

The verse also implies that the Realized person does not have any sense of agency or doership, but recognizes that everything is done by the Supreme Self, which is his True Nature. He does not identify with the body, mind, or intellect, but remains as the witness of all phenomena. He is not affected by the dualities of life, such as pain and pleasure, success and failure, or honor and dishonor. He is content and peaceful in all circumstances, knowing that everything is transient and illusory.

The verse also suggests that the Realized person does not follow any rules or regulations, but acts according to his own intuition and wisdom, which are in harmony with the cosmic law. He does not need any external guidance or authority, but trusts his own inner light. He does not impose his will or views on others, but respects their freedom and diversity. He does not judge or criticize anyone, but sees everyone as his own self.

This can be compared with similar verses from Vedic texts:

- The Bhagavad Gita Verse 18.49 says:

असक्तबुद्धिः सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृहः।

नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिं परमां सन्न्यासेनाधिगच्छति॥१८- ४९॥

Those whose intellect is unattached everywhere, who have mastered their mind, and are free from desires by the practice of renunciation, attain the highest perfection of freedom from action. (18.49)

- The Yogavashishta Verse 6.2.215.6 says:

मोक्षोपायानिमान्पुण्यान्प्रत्यक्षानुभवार्थदान्।

बालोप्यकर्ण्य तत्ज्ञात्वं याति का त्वादृशे कथा॥६- २- २१५- ६॥

Having learnt the methods of Realization, expounded in this work which brings about direct intuition, even a child comes to Realize the Self. (6.2.215.6)

- The Mundaka Upanishad Verse 3.1.4 says:

यथा नद्यः स्यन्दमानाः समुद्रे अस्तं गच्छन्ति नामरूपे विहाय। तथा विद्वान्नामरूपाद्विमुक्तः

परात्परं पुरुषमुपैति दिव्यम्॥३- १- ४॥

As the rivers flowing into the ocean lose their names and forms, so the wise person, freed from name and form, attains the Supreme Self, the divine. (3.1.4)