Chapter-18, Verse 65

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.65

स एव धन्य आत्मज्ञः सर्वभावेषु यः समः ।

पश्यञ्छृण्वन्स्पृशञ्जिघ्रन्नश्नन्निस्तर्षमानसः ॥ ६५ ॥

Blessed indeed is that Knower of the Self, who, with his mind free from thirst, even though seeing, hearing, touching, smelling or eating, remains the same under all conditions.

This verse expresses the state of a Self-Realized person who is free from attachment and desire. He is not affected by the dualities of pleasure and pain, gain and loss, honor and dishonor, etc. He is content with his own Self and does not depend on external objects for his happiness. He is aware of his True Nature as the Supreme Self and sees the same Self in all beings. He is not swayed by the senses and their objects, but remains detached and equanimous in all situations.

The verse implies that Self-Knowledge is the highest form of Knowledge and the source of Bliss. It also suggests that Self-Knowledge is not merely an intellectual understanding, but a direct and experiential Realization of one's identity with the Absolute Reality. Such a Realization transcends the limitations of the body, mind, and ego, and leads to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The verse also indicates that Self-Knowledge is not a state of passivity or indifference, but a state of active and dynamic engagement with the world, without being attached to the results of one's actions.

The verse also conveys the message that Self-Knowledge is not a rare or extraordinary achievement, but a natural and innate potential of every human being. It is not something that has to be acquired from outside, but something that has to be discovered within. It is not something that depends on external factors, such as time, place, or circumstance, but something that is always present and accessible. It is not something that is exclusive or elitist, but something that is universal and egalitarian. It is not something that is difficult or arduous, but something that is easy and effortless.

Similar verses from Vedic texts that express the same or related ideas are:

- Bhagavad Gita 

न प्रहृष्येत्प्रियं प्राप्य नोद्विजेत्प्राप्य चाप्रियम् । स्थिरबुद्धिरसम्मूढो ब्रह्मविद्ब्रह्मणि स्थितः ॥

He who neither rejoices upon obtaining what is pleasant nor grieves upon obtaining what is unpleasant, who is self-intelligent, who is un-bewildered, and who knows the science of God, is already situated in transcendence.

- Mundaka Upanishad 3.2.9:

स यो ह वै तत्परमं ब्रह्म वेद ब्रह्मैव भवति नास्याब्रह्मवित्कुले भवति । तरति शोकं तरति पाप्मानं गुहाग्रन्थिभ्यो विमुक्तः प्रमुच्यते ॥

He who knows that Supreme Brahman becomes Brahman indeed. In his line, none who knows not the Brahman will be born. He crosses over sorrow; he crosses over sin. Freed from the knots of the Heart, he becomes immortal.

- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.23:

आत्मा वा अरे द्रष्टव्यः श्रोतव्यो मन्तव्यो निदिध्यासितव्यो मैत्रेयि आत्मनो व अरे दर्शनेन श्रवणेन मत्या विज्ञानेनेदं सर्वं विदितम् ॥

O Maitreyi, the Self should be Realized – should be heard of, reflected on and meditated upon. By the Realization of the Self, my dear, through hearing, reflection and meditation, all this is known.