Kama-krodha-viyuktanam

For those ascetics who are free from desire and anger, who have controlled their minds, and who know the Self — brahma-nirvana exists all around them. It is not somewhere far away. It is here, on every side.

The word 'abhitah' — all around — is striking. Just as light surrounds a lamp on every side without the lamp needing to search for it, so too for such realized souls, the peace of Brahman is everywhere. It does not need to be found. It is already there.

This shloka concludes the trio of verses on brahma-nirvana (5.24, 5.25, 5.26). The first described it for the internally illuminated yogi, the second for the purified rishis, and this one for the ascetics free of desire and anger. Tradition gives special importance to the word 'abhitah': brahma-nirvana is not a distant destination — it exists everywhere.