Chapter-20, Verse 04

Ashtavakra Gita Verse 20.4

क्व प्रारब्धानि कर्माणि जीवन्मुक्तिरपि क्व वा।
क्व तद्विदेहकैवल्यं निर्विशेषस्य सर्वदा ॥४॥

"Where are the accumulated actions (karma)? Where is even liberation in life (jivanmukti)? Where is liberation after death (videhamukti) for the one who is always without distinction?"

This verse from the Ashtavakra Gita challenges the conventional understanding of liberation and karma. It asks, "where" these concepts exist in relation to the Self (Atman).

• Accumulated actions (karma): The verse suggests that karma, the law of cause and effect, is irrelevant to the Self. Since the Self is eternal and unchanging, it isn't subject to the cycle of karma.


• Liberation in life (jivanmukti) and liberation after death (videhamukti): The verse questions the need for liberation as a separate state or goal. It implies that the one who is truly Realized (nirvishesha - without distinction) experiences Oneness with the Self already, regardless of the physical body's state (alive or dead).

Therefore, the verse emphasizes the Unity of existence. It suggests that distinctions like karma and liberation are ultimately illusory, and true liberation lies in the Realization of the ever-existing, non-dual Self.

Similar Verses from Vedic Texts

1. Isha Upanishad 1

ईशावास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत्।
तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथाः मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम् ॥ १ ॥

"All this existing world is enveloped by the Lord. Therefore, enjoy what He has given you, with renunciation, and do not covet anyone's wealth."

This verse advocates for detachment and living in harmony with the universal Self, similar to realizing non-duality in the Ashtavakra Gita verse.

2. Bhagavad Gita 

न कर्मणा मयोजिहाते हृदयेन नाहं वधे ।
जिहाते नासि रोधे च स्वभावजेन कर्मणा ॥ १३ ॥

"I do not connect myself with the actions born of the three qualities (gunas) through the body, nor do I induce, forbid, or hinder actions."

This verse reiterates the non-interference of the Self in the play of karma, similar to the Ashtavakra Gita verse's view of karma being irrelevant to the Self.

3. Yoga Vashishtha 6.11

न जातु निर्गुणो मूढो भवति न च कर्मानुबन्धः ।
केवलं ज्ञानमात्रेण चित्तं शुद्धं प्रजायते ॥ ६.११ ॥

"The one without qualities (gunas) never becomes deluded, nor is there any bondage of karma. Only through pure knowledge does the mind become purified."

This verse, like the Ashtavakra Gita, emphasizes the importance of Knowledge (jnana) in realizing the non-dual Self, where the limitations of karma are transcended.

These verses, while using different metaphors and contexts, share the underlying message of the Ashtavakra Gita verse – emphasizing the non-dual nature of Reality and the Ultimate Unity of the Self.