Chapter-19, Verse 04

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 19.4

क्व चात्मा क्व च वाऽनात्मा क्व शुभं क्वाशुभं तथा । क्व चिन्ता क्व च वाऽचिन्ता स्वमहिम्नि स्थितस्य मे ॥ ४ ॥

Where is the Self and where is the non-self, where is the good and where is the evil? Where is the thought and where is the absence of thought, for me who abides in my own glory? || 4 ||

- The speaker of this verse is Ashtavakra, a sage who teaches the king Janaka the essence of non-dualism or Advaita Vedanta. He is addressing his own state of Realization, in which he sees no difference between himself and the Supreme Reality, Brahman.

- He questions the validity of the conventional distinctions between the Self and the non-self, the good and the evil, the thought and the absence of thought, which are based on ignorance and duality. He implies that these are all relative and illusory concepts that do not apply to him, who has transcended them by knowing his True Nature as Pure Consciousness, the Witness of everything.

- He declares that he abides in his own glory, which means that he is self-sufficient, independent, blissful and free from all limitations and attachments. He does not depend on anything external for his happiness or identity. He is the Source and the Goal of his own existence.

Comparison with three similar verses from Vedic texts:

- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.3.22: This verse is part of a dialogue between Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi, in which the former instructs the latter on the nature of the self and Brahman. The verse says:

अहं ब्रह्मास्मि ।

I am Brahman.

This is one of the four mahavakyas or great sayings of the Upanishads, which affirm the identity of the individual Self and the universal Self. It implies that the true Self is not the body, the mind, the senses or the ego, but the pure, infinite and eternal reality that pervades all existence.

- Bhagavad Gita 5.18: 

This verse is part of Krishna's teachings to Arjuna on the path of renunciation and devotion. The verse says:

विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि ।

शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः ॥

The Wise see the same in a learned and humble brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater.

This verse teaches that one who has attained the Knowledge of the Self sees no difference between various beings, regardless of their caste, species, status or appearance. He sees the same Self in all of them, and treats them with equal respect and compassion.

- Yoga Vashishta 6.2.34: 

This verse is part of a conversation between Vashishta and Rama, in which the former explains the nature of liberation and bondage. The verse says:

न मे बन्धोऽस्ति न मे मोक्षो न मे देहो न मे जगत् । अहं चिदानन्दरूपोऽहं शान्तः शाश्वतः शिवः ॥

I have no bondage, I have no liberation, I have no body, I have no world. I am of the nature of consciousness and bliss, I am peaceful, eternal and auspicious.

This verse expresses the state of the liberated sage, who has Realized his True Self as beyond all dualities and limitations. He has no sense of attachment or aversion, no identification with the body or the world, no desire or fear. He is one with the Supreme Reality, which is pure, blissful, peaceful and eternal.