Upanishads · Mahā 2.51
॥
Devanāgarī
सर्वत्र विगतस्नेहो यः साक्षिवदवस्थितः निरिच्छो वर्तते कार्ये स जीवन्मुक्त उच्यते
Transliteration (IAST)
sarvatra vigatasneho yaḥ sākṣivadavasthitaḥ niriccho vartate kārye sa jīvanmukta ucyate
Word-by-word
SanskritIASTMeaning
सर्वत्र विगत-स्नेहःsarvatra vigata-snehaḥeverywhere void of attachment; having everywhere lost all clinging
यः साक्षि-वत् अवस्थितःyaḥ sākṣi-vat avasthitaḥwho abides like a witness; who stands as a witness stands
निर्-इच्छः वर्तते कार्येnir-icchaḥ vartate kāryewithout desire acts in the work; labours in the work, wanting nothing
सः जीवन्मुक्तः उच्यतेsaḥ jīvanmuktaḥ ucyatehe is called liberated while living; he is named free while yet alive
Translation
“Who is everywhere void of attachment, abides as a witness, and acts in the work desiring nothing — he is called liberated while living.”
Version
6347d13754e3 · published Jul 29, 2026, 6:29:20 AM UTC
Available inRUENPage between verses with
The tenth mark introduces a word important to all Vedānta: sākṣin, “the witness”.
The witness is one present at an event without being party to it. He sees and is not drawn in.
Applied to a man this means: he does the work and at the same time sees himself doing it — without identifying with the doer.
A correction is needed at once, or a cold aloofness will come of it. To witness is not to be absent. The verse says plainly: vartate kārye, “he labours in the work”. He does not step out of life; he steps out of the role of owner of what happens.
This is precisely Janaka's position: a king on the throne, judging and ruling — and a witness.