Chapter-20, Verse 03

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 20.3

च वाऽविद्या क्वाहं क्वेदं मम क्व वा ।
क्व बन्धः क्व च वा मोक्षः स्वरूपस्य क्व रूपता ॥ ३ ॥

Where is knowledge and ignorance? Where is “I”, “this” or “mine”? Where is bondage, and where is liberation? Where is the form of the Self-nature?

This verse delves deeper into the negation of duality, questioning the very existence of concepts like knowledge, ignorance, self, and possession. It emphasizes that these concepts are all relative and ultimately unreal in the Absolute Reality of the Self. The verse also negates the concepts of bondage and liberation, suggesting that they are illusory states arising from the identification with the limited self. The True Nature of the Self, the verse implies, transcends all forms and definitions.

Here are three similar verses from Vedic texts for context:

Mandukya Upanishad 1.2:

न द्वैतं केवलं

There is no duality whatsoever.

Bhagavad Gita 13.12:

अहंकारं च ममत्वं च ज्ञानानन्दमयात्मनः ।
छिन्दध्यानि मयि सर्वेन्द्रियाणि समर्पय ॥

Cut the knot of I-ness and possessiveness in the Self, which is full of Knowledge and Bliss. Surrender all your senses to Me.

Isha Upanishad 1:

ईशा वास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत्

All this that is moving in the world is enveloped by the Lord.