Chapter-18, Verse 83

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.83

लोकोपकारान्न विमुञ्चति आत्मज्ञाने न ललते । सुखदुःखानस्पृहः स्वस्थो न जातो न म्रियते ॥

Not for the welfare of people does he renounce, nor does he crave Self-Knowledge. Without desire for pleasure and sorrow, he is healthy, neither born nor dies. 

This verse describes the state of a Jivanmukta, a Realized soul. Here's its meaning in three parts:

Detachment from action and knowledge: The verse doesn't say the Jivanmukta stops acting altogether, but that their actions aren't driven by worldly desires or ego. They perform duties (lokokarya) without seeking personal benefit or recognition. Similarly, while Self-Knowledge is crucial, they don't crave it as a goal, for they already realize their True Self.

Transcending duality: 

The Jivanmukta is unfazed by pleasure and sorrow (sukha-duḥkha). These are dualities of the mind, and the Jivanmukta has transcended the limitations of the mind. They remain "healthy" (svastha), meaning their inner state is undisturbed by external circumstances.

Beyond birth and death: The verse says the Jivanmukta is "neither born nor dies" (jaato na mriyate). This doesn't mean they are physically immortal, but that they are no longer identified with the changing body-mind complex. They understand their True Nature as eternal Self, untouched by the cycle of birth and death.

Comparative Analysis:

Here are three similar verses from Vedic texts, highlighting different aspects of Realization:

Kalika Purana: 

यो लिप्सते फलम् देव तस्याश्च फलम् इच्छन् यः । स काम्यः सर्वकर्माणी शपितानि कलौ कलि ॥ 

"He who desires the fruit of action, and he who desires not to act - both these are attached. All actions in Kali Yuga are said to be impelled by desire."

This shloka is from the Kalika Purana. It reflects on the nature of desire and action, stating that in the age of Kali, whoever desires the fruits of actions, shall be cursed.

Katha Upanishad 2.25: 

न जायते म्रियते वा विपश्चिन्नायं कदाचन । नायं कुतश्चित् डभवः कश्चिद् भाविता कश्चित् क्रिया ॥

"The wise one is never born, nor does he die. He never comes into being from anything, nor does he become anything. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain."

This verse from the Katha Upanishad describes the unchanging nature of the Self, which is beyond birth and death.

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.23: 

न बिभेति कर्मकृत् कस्माद् यस्य सर्वमात्मन्वात् ॥

"Why should the doer of action fear, since everything is in his Self?"

This verse from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad highlights the fearlessness of the Self-Realized person, who sees everything as one in their own Self.

Comparing these verses, we see different facets of Realization explored. The Ashtavakra Gita verse emphasizes detachment from desires and duality, while the Bhagavad Gita focuses on action without attachment. The Katha Upanishad describes the eternal nature of the Self, and the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad highlights the fearlessness of Self-Realization. Each verse contributes to a deeper understanding of the Realized State.