Chapter IV, Section I, Adhikarana IX

Adhikarana summary: Knowledge of Brahman frees one from the effects of all past and future evil deeds

 Sutra 4,1.13

तदधिगम उत्तरपूर्वाघयोरश्लेषविनाशौ तद्व्यपदेशात् ॥ १३ ॥

tadadhigama uttarapūrvāghayoraśleṣavināśau tadvyapadeśāt || 13 ||

tat-adhigame—When that is realized; uttara-pūrva-aghayoḥ—of the subsequent and previous sins; aśleṣa-vināśau—non-clinging and destruction; tat-vyapadeśāt—because it is declared (by the scriptures).

13. When that (Brahman) is realized (there result) the non-clinging and destruction of the subsequent and previous sins respectively, because it is (so) declared (by the scriptures).

The state of Jivanmukti is described here. The opponent holds that Liberation is attained, in spite of Knowledge, only after one has experienced the results of one’s sins committed before illumination. For the Smritis say, “Karma is not destroyed before it has given its results.” The law of Karma is inexorable. This Sutra says that when a person attains Knowledge, all his past sins are destroyed and future sins do not cling to him. For by realizing Brahman he experiences that he never was, nor is, nor will be an agent, and such a person cannot be affected by the result of sins. The scriptures also declare that. “Just as cotton growing on reeds is burnt when thrown into fire, even so are burnt the sins of one who knowing this offers Agnihotra” (Chh. 5. 24. 3); “The fetters of the heart are broken, all doubts are solved, and all works are destroyed when He who is high and low is seen” (Mu. 2. 2. 8); “As water does not wet the lotus leaf, even so no sins cling to him who knows it” (Chh. 4. 14. 3). What the Smritis say about the inexorability of the law of Karma is true only of ordinary people, and does not hold good in the case of the knowers of Brahman. And in this way alone can Liberation result—by snapping the chain of work. Otherwise Liberation can never take place.