Chapter-18, Verse 98

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.98

मुक्तो यथास्थितीश्वस्थाः कृतकर्तव्यनिर्वृत्तिः।

समः सर्वत्र वैतृष्ण्यान्न स्मरत्यकृतं कृतम्"।।

"The Liberated one, who abides in the Self under all conditions, is released from the idea of actions and of duty. He is the same everywhere and due to the absence of desires in him, does not brood over what he has done and what he has not done."

The main idea that has been hammered all through the chapter is again being hinted at, lest the student should overlook its significance. The Man of Perfection has neither the ego sense (I-ness) nor the ego feeling (my-ness). Since he has no ego, he has no sense of action or duty. ‘Due to the absence of desires in him’ he has no regrets in life. He refuses to look back to remember what he has accomplished in life or not accomplished in life. Neither by commission nor by omission can the mind of the Master ever get disturbed. He never broods over the past or upon the future. He lives in the ‘eternal present’. He is a law unto himself, he is unique.

Lastly, the verse speaks to the state of equanimity and detachment. It suggests that a Realized individual remains unaffected by the dualities of life and experiences a sense of sameness in all situations. Such an individual is not affected by desires and does not dwell on past actions or future outcomes.

Now, in the context of Vedic texts, let us compare Verse 18.98 with three similar verses:

1. From the Upanishads (Mundaka Upanishad 3.2.9):

यदा सर्वे प्रमुच्यन्ते काम येऽस्य हृदि श्रिताः

अथ मार्त्योऽमृतो भवत्यात्र ब्रह्म समश्नुते।

"When all desires that dwell in the heart are liberated, then the mortal becomes immortal, and here, in this very life, attains Brahman."

This verse, similar to the Ashtavakra Gita verse, speaks of liberation from desires leading to immortality and the attainment of Brahman, the Ultimate Reality.

2. From the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Yoga Sutra 1.12):

अभ्यास वैराग्याभ्यां तन् निरोधः ।

"The cessation of mental fluctuations is obtained through practice and non-attachment."

This verse highlights the importance of practice and non-attachment in achieving a state of mental stillness, which aligns with the concept of Realization and equanimity.

3. From the Yoga Vasistha (Yoga Vasistha 6.1.3):

नास्ति जग्रति नास्ति स्वप्नं नास्ति वैश्वानरां ज्ञानम्।

ज्ञेयस्तत्वमयो बुद्धिर्णास्ति तत्त्वं तथा परम्"।।

"There is no waking state, no dream state, no individual soul, no knowledge, no object of knowledge, and no Supreme Reality beyond that."

This verse from the Yoga Vasistha suggests the non-dual nature of existence and the Ultimate Truth beyond all states of Consciousness, reinforcing the idea of liberation from worldly attachments and desires.

Overall, these verses from various Vedic texts emphasize the importance of liberation, non-attachment, and the attainment of a state of equanimity. They guide individuals towards a path of Self-Realization and transcendence, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of the True Nature of existence.