Ashtavakra Gita · Verse 4.6 · Janaka speaks
Rare is the man who knows the Self as one without a second and as the lord of the universe. He does what he knows to be worth doing and has no fear from any quarter.
Word by word
आत्मानम्
ātmānam
the Self
noun, masculine, accusative singular
ātman, the individual Self, is here identified as both advaya (non-dual) and jagadīśvara (lord of the universe) — a synthesis of the transcendent-absolute and the immanent-personal dimensions of Brahman. This double recognition is considered the apex of Advaita understanding.
अद्वयं
advayaṃ
non-dual, without a second
compound adjective (a + dvaya), accusative singular
advaya is the most precise Advaita term for the absolute non-duality of Brahman — not merely 'one' (eka) in the sense of a counted unity, but the negation of any possible second reality. The Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad (7) uses this term to describe turīya. It is preferred over advaita in some contexts to avoid implying a negated duality.
कश्चित्
kaścit
someone (rare), scarcely anyone
indefinite pronoun, masculine, nominative singular
जानाति
jānāti
knows, realises
verb, present tense, third person singular, parasmaipada (jñā)
जगदीश्वरम्
jagadīśvaram
lord of the universe
compound noun (jagat + īśvara), masculine, accusative singular
jagadīśvara: the realized being knows himself not only as the transcendent witness-Self (ātman/Brahman) but also as īśvara, the immanent lord and substratum of the entire manifest world. This double identity — absolute and personal — marks the fullness of non-dual realization, where no distinction remains between the aspirant, the Self, and the world.
यद्
yad
what
relative pronoun, neuter, accusative singular
वेत्ति
vetti
knows, deems worth doing
verb, present tense, third person singular, parasmaipada (vid)
तत्
tat
that
demonstrative pronoun, neuter, accusative singular
स
sa
he
demonstrative pronoun, masculine, nominative singular
कुरुते
kurute
does, performs
verb, present tense, third person singular, ātmanepada (kṛ)
न
na
not
negative particle
भयं
bhayaṃ
fear
noun, neuter, nominative singular
abhaya (fearlessness) is a hallmark of Brahman-realization. The Taittirīya Upaniṣad (2.9) declares: 'brahma veda brahmaiva bhavati' — one who knows Brahman becomes Brahman — and 'abhayaṃ vai brahma' — Brahman is verily fearlessness. Fear arises only when 'other' is perceived; for the advayajñānī, no other exists.
तस्य
tasya
his
demonstrative pronoun, masculine, genitive singular
कुत्रचित्
kutracit
anywhere, from any quarter
indefinite adverb