Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 4.3 · Janaka speaks
The heart of one who has known That is not touched by virtue and vice, just as the sky is not touched by smoke, even though it appears to be.
Word by word
तज्ज्ञस्य
tajjñasya
of the knower of That
compound noun (tat + jña), masculine, genitive singular
tat (That) refers to Brahman as indicated by the mahāvākya tat tvam asi. tajjña is the one who has directly realized tat — an epithet pointing specifically to Brahman-knowledge, as distinct from mere learning. The genitive indicates possession of an unassailable inner reality.
पुण्यपापाभ्यां
puṇyapāpābhyāṃ
by virtue and vice
compound noun (puṇya + pāpa), neuter, instrumental dual
puṇya (virtue/merit) and pāpa (vice/demerit) are the two poles of dharmic action that bind the ordinary jīva to the cycle of karma and rebirth. The jñānī transcends both, having realized the Self as the witness (sākṣī) of all action, not the agent.
स्पर्शः
sparśaḥ
touch, contact
noun, masculine, nominative singular
हि
hi
indeed, surely
emphatic particle
अन्तर्
antar
within, in the heart
adverb/prefix
न जायते
na jāyate
does not arise
verb, present tense, third person singular, ātmanepada (jan)
आकाशस्य
ākāśasya
of the sky, of space
noun, masculine, genitive singular
ākāśa (space/ether) is a primary Vedāntic analogy for Consciousness: infinite, all-pervading, unchanging, and unstained by whatever appears within it. The Chāndogya Upaniṣad uses ākāśa as a name for Brahman (3.14.2). Its apparent contact with smoke is a classic illustration of vivartavāda — superimposition without real modification.
धूमेन
dhūmena
by smoke
noun, masculine, instrumental singular
दृश्यमानापि
dṛśyamānāpi
even though appearing
present passive participle + api, nominative singular
सङ्गतिः
saṃgatiḥ
contact, association
noun, feminine, nominative singular