Chapter-18, Verse 96

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.96

न सुखी न च वा दुःखी न विरक्तो न सङ्गवान्।

न मुमुक्षुर्न वा मुक्तो न किञ्चिन्न च किञ्चन॥९६॥

"The Wise One is neither happy nor sad, neither attached nor unattached, neither Liberated nor an aspirant for Liberation, he is neither This nor That."

This verse from the Ashtavakra Gita encompasses profound philosophical insights. 

The first line, "neither happy nor sad, " suggests a state of equanimity. It implies transcending the duality of joy and sorrow, Realizing that true happiness does not depend on external circumstances. It highlights the importance of inner stability and detachment from the fluctuating nature of emotions.

The second line, "neither attached nor unattached," emphasizes detachment from worldly attachments and relationships. It signifies a state of non-identification with the material world, recognizing that true freedom lies in not being bound by external influences or possessions.

The third line, "neither Liberated nor an aspirant for Liberation," points to a state beyond the longing for liberation or the attainment of spiritual goals. It signifies a profound understanding that one does not need to seek liberation or salvation as they are already inherently free and limitless.

The final line, "Neither This nor That," signifies the Realization of non-duality. It indicates the transcendence of dualistic thinking and the recognition of the underlying unity of all things. It suggests that there is no separation between the self and the world, ultimately leading to a sense of oneness and non-differentiation.

Now, for context, let us compare this verse with three similar verses from other Vedic texts:

1. From the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 56):

दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमनाः सुखेषु विगतस्पृहः।

वीतरागभयक्रोधः स्थितधीर्मुनिरुच्यते॥५६॥

"He who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires, who is steady in mind amidst pleasure and pain, and who remains unaffected by attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom."

2. From the Yoga Vashishta (Nirvana Prakarana, Chapter 3, Verse 76):

द्वन्द्वे न निष्प्रपञ्चे च नान्यस्य न कथञ्चन।

नानात्वमनुभूतस्य नाश्रयः स्यात्सुखं विना॥७६॥

"In the absence of duality and non-perception of multiplicity, in the experience of non-differentiation, there is no need for dependence, as happiness is attained without any cause."

3. From the Upanishads 

(Mundaka Upanishad, Chapter 3, Section 2, Verse 9):

यत्र नान्यत्पश्यति नान्यच्छृणोति नान्यत्स्पृशति नान्यत्विजानाति स भूमा।

"Where one sees nothing else, hears nothing else, touches nothing else, and knows nothing else, that is the infinite."

These verses from different Vedic texts share the common theme of transcending duality, detachment, and the Realization of non-differentiation. They all point towards a state of profound wisdom, where the individual is untouched by the fluctuations of the material world and experiences a sense of unity, freedom, and inner peace.