Self realized person

Some one: “Jnana burns away all karma,” says the Bhagavad Gita; so the jnani’s jnana could not leave prarabdha unburned. Is that so?

Maharshi.: In the jnani’s view all karma has gone. But in the world’s view, the jnani’s body is seen subject to some karma and this is attributed to prarabdha.

M. Frydman.: The Ashtavakra Gita says, “The jnani does not remember what he has done or not done.” How to understand this?

M.: He is in Brahman, so he does not feel that he is the agent who has acted or not acted.

M. F.: If the jnani is subject to prarabdha, he may have to face desires, which are also a part of prarabdha karma. Desires cloud jnana. How can he then be a jnani?

M.: The desires that float before the jnani do not affect his jnana.

M. F.: Instead of constantly pursuing the enquiry ‘Who am I?’ why not constantly ask ‘Who are you?’

M.: Either enquiry that tends to still the mind is good. But ‘Who am I?’ is the shortest and most direct method. The others lead up to it.

—Condensed from the Sunday Times