Ashtavakra Gita 15.10 -

Self-realization is sought and pursued as a part of our life, to live with contentment and gain fulfilment. It is not that the seeker pursues his goal, realizes the Self and instantly his body falls. If that were to be, Self-knowledge cannot be our goal in life.

Self-realization is a complement to our life in the world. With the enrichment, empowerment and fulfilment the seeker derives from the Self, he must be able to live, move and act in the world as a model for others to appreciate and follow. This means he must have ample confidence, fearlessness and fervour to live and move and interact with the world.

Therefore, the Sage brings in one aspect or another of the Knower, showing how his mind remains free and enthusiastic to live and move. See the confidence with which the Sage reveals how the man of realization thinks and feels. He is ready to see the body endure till the end of the cycle of creation. He is equally ready to see it fall instantly as well!

Neither continued life nor instant departure is his concern. The body was born following Nature’s sequence, due to passage of Time. Equally so, it will fall under the same sequence. His concern is to be free, joyous and fulfilled, despite what the body does or not. What an exalted note of enlightenment and harmony!