Ashtavakra Gita Verse 18.99
न प्रीयते वन्द्यमानो निन्द्यमानो न कुप्यति।
नैवोद्विजति मरणे जीवने नाभिनन्दति॥९९॥
"The Wise One is not pleased by praise, not angered by criticism,
neither rejoices nor grieves, neither laments nor desires in life or death."
The praise and insults, honour and dishonour of the pygmies of the world are all of no concern to him. He neither feels elevated by our appreciations nor is he dejected and despaired at our insults. He needs no compliments of his age. He is self-sufficient unto himself. He lives in this world to give and not to take.
He accepts nothing, desires nothing. He neither rejoices in life nor is he, when threatened with destruction, afraid of death! Calm and serene he faces life. To him the existence in the body is but a play. He has become the true existence which is the substratum for the whole universe. The diction used in this verse is reminiscent of the lingering phrases of the brilliant Bhagavad-gita: ‘Who neither rejoices nor hates, his wisdom is firm’
This verse emphasizes the state of equanimity and detachment that one should strive for. It suggests that a truly enlightened being is not affected by external circumstances or opinions. Such a person remains unperturbed by praise or blame, as their sense of self-worth is not dependent on others' opinions. They are not swayed by the ups and downs of life and death, as they have transcended the dualities of joy and sorrow, attachment and aversion.
Now, let us compare this verse with three similar verses from other Vedic texts:
1. Bhagavad Gita (2.56):
दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमनाः सुखेषु विगतस्पृहः।
वीतरागभयक्रोधः स्थितधीर्मुनिरुच्यते॥२.५६॥
"One whose mind remains undisturbed amidst misery, who does not crave for pleasure, and who is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom."
2. Mundaka Upanishad (3.1.6):
यस्तु न वेद कस्यास्त्रिषु जीवेद्विज्ञानवान्भवति।
आत्मनां साम्परायेयं कीर्तिमान्भवति दुःखेश्चानुद्विग्नोऽभयेश्चेत्॥३.१.६॥
"One who does not know the Supreme Truth but lives a wise life, detached from the dualities of joy and sorrow, and free from fear, attains immortality and becomes worthy of praise."
3. Patanjali Yoga Sutras (1.33):
मैत्रीकरुणामुदितोपेक्षाणां सुखदुःखपुण्यापुण्यविषयाणां भावनातश्चित्तप्रसादनम्॥१.३३॥
"By cultivating attitudes of friendliness towards those who are happy, compassion for those who are suffering, joy for those who are virtuous, and indifference or disregard towards those we perceive as wicked or evil, the mind retains its undisturbed calmness."
These verses from various Vedic texts share a common thread of advocating detachment, equanimity, and a transcendent state of mind. They all emphasize the importance of remaining unaffected by external circumstances, opinions, and the dualities of life. By cultivating a state of inner peace and detachment, one can attain wisdom, immortality, and liberation from suffering.
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