Chapter-18, Verse 78

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.78

क्व तमः क्व प्रकाशो वा हानं क्व च न किञ्चन । निर्विकारस्य धीरस्य निरातङ्कस्य सर्वदा ॥ ७८ ॥

For the wise man who is always unchanging and fearless there is neither darkness nor light nor destruction, nor anything. 

This verse expresses the State of Supreme non-duality, where the wise man is free from all dualities, such as ignorance and knowledge, loss and gain, pain and pleasure, etc. He is not affected by any change or modification in the phenomenal world, nor does he have any fear or anxiety. He is always established in his own True Nature, which is Pure Consciousness, Bliss, and peace.

The meaning of this verse can be understood in three ways:

- From the perspective of the Absolute Reality, there is nothing other than the Self, which is One, indivisible, and eternal. There is no duality of subject and object, cause and effect, or means and end. There is no creation or destruction, no bondage or liberation, no ignorance or enlightenment. There is only the Self, which is beyond all attributes and limitations.

- From the perspective of the relative Reality, the wise man has realized his identity with the Self, and has transcended the illusion of the world. He has detached himself from all desires and attachments, and has renounced all actions and their fruits. He has no sense of doership or enjoyership, and has no expectation or fear. He is content and happy in himself, and does not depend on anything external for his happiness.

- From the perspective of the practical Reality, the wise man lives in the world, but is not of the world. He performs his duties and responsibilities, but is not attached to them. He is compassionate and benevolent, but is not sentimental or emotional. He is aware and alert, but is not restless or agitated. He is calm and serene, but is not dull or passive. He is the embodiment of wisdom and Bliss, and is an inspiration and a blessing to others.

Some similar verses from other Vedic texts are:

- Bhagavad Gita 5.19: 

In the eyes of those whose minds are established in equanimity, there is neither a brahmin nor a shudra, neither a saint nor a sinner. They see with an equal vision.

- Isha Upanishad 6: 

He who sees all beings in the Self, and the Self in all beings, he never hates anyone. 

- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.23: 

He who knows the Bliss of Brahman, from whom all words and thoughts turn back, he does not fear anything.