In Advaita Vedānta, Jīvanmukti refers to embodied liberation – the realization of one's true identity with Brahman, the ultimate reality, while still living in the physical body. It's not a state achieved after death, but a profound shift in consciousness here and now.

A jīvanmukta (liberated living being) has attained perfect self-knowledge (Brahma-jñāna), fully transcending the illusion (māyā) of the individual ego and all duality. They perceive the non-duality (advaita) of existence directly.

Nature of Jīvanmukti:

• Karma-free: While prārabdha karma (destiny set in motion) continues until the body drops, the jīvanmukta does not accumulate new karma.

• Desireless & Fearless: Having realized the fullness of Brahman, they are free from unfulfilled desires, fear, and attachment.

• Equanimity: They remain undisturbed by worldly pleasures, pains, praise, or blame, no longer identifying with the transient ego or external events.

• Action without Attachment: They may continue to act in the world, often for universal welfare (lokasaṅgraha), but without any sense of doership or attachment to results.

Jīvanmukti signifies that liberation is a state of mind, a direct experience of ultimate reality, attainable in this very life.