Utkramaṇa-sthāna and Ariṣṭa-lakṣaṇa: Yājñavalkya’s Instruction on Departure Pathways and Mortality Signs
मोक्षकामा वयं चापि काड्क्षामो यदनामयम् । अदेहमजर नित्यमतीन्द्रियमनी श्वरम्
janaka uvāca | mokṣakāmā vayaṁ cāpi kāṅkṣāmo yad anāmayam | adeham ajaraṁ nityam atīndriyam anīśvaram ||
Janaka disse: “Eu também anseio pela libertação e busco esse estado livre de toda aflição—sem corpo, imperecível, eterno, além do alcance dos sentidos; e, ao alcançá-lo, o homem já não fica sujeito a nenhum senhor ou governante externo.”
जनक उवाच
Liberation is portrayed as an unconditioned state: free from suffering, not dependent on the body, untouched by decay, eternal, and beyond sensory experience. Attaining it implies inner sovereignty—no longer being ruled by external powers, conditions, or compulsions.
In the Shanti Parva’s philosophical discourse, King Janaka speaks as a seeker. Despite being a ruler, he declares his aspiration for moksha and describes the nature of the highest state he seeks—thereby aligning royal life with the pursuit of ultimate freedom.