Symptoms of a Jivan-Mukta

[SB 5.4.5]

Śrīla Vīrarāghava Ācārya states that in the Chāndogya Upaniṣad there are eight symptoms of a jīvan-mukta, a person who is already liberated even when living in this body.

1. The first symptom of one so liberated is that he is freed from all sinful activity (apahata-pāpa). Sinful activity involves illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling.
   
2. Another symptom of a liberated person is vijara, which indicates that he is not subjected to the miseries of old age.
   
3. Another symptom is vimṛtyu. A liberated person prepares himself in such a way that he does not take on any more material bodies, which are destined to die. In other words. he does not fall down again to repeat birth and death.
   
4. Another symptom is viśoka, which indicates that he is callous to material distress and happiness.
   
5. Another is vijighatsa, which indicates that he no longer desires material enjoyment.
   
6. Another symptom is apipātā, which means that he has no desire other than to engage in the devotional service of Kṛṣṇa, his dearmost pursuable Lord.
   
7. A further symptom is satya-kāma, which indicates that all his desires are directed to the Supreme Truth, Kṛṣṇa. He does not want anything else.
   
8. He is satya-sańkalpa. Whatever he desires is fulfilled by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. First of all, he does not desire anything for his material benefit, and secondly if he desires anything at all, he simply desires to serve the Supreme Lord. That desire is fulfilled by the Lord's grace. That is called satya-sańkalpa.