SB 3.27.14

The explanation of Jiva Gosvami in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu how a person can be liberated even in this body is more clearly explained in this verse. That a living entity who has become satya-drk, or actually self-realized, one who has realized his position in relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he may remain merged apparently in the five elements of matter and five objects of material senses and the ten senses and the mind and intelligence, still he is to be considered that he is awakened and he is freed from the reaction of false ego. Here the word lina (l-e-e-n-a) is very significant. The Mayavada philosophy, they recommend to be merged in the impersonal effulgence of Brahman; that is their ultimate goal or destination. Now that merging is also mentioned here. But in spite of being merged one can keep his individuality. The example is given by Jiva Gosvami just like a green bird entering into a tree which is also green appears to be merged in the color of greenness, but actually the bird does not quit its individuality. Similarly, a living entity either he is merged in the material nature or he is merged in the spiritual nature, he does not give up his individuality. So real individuality is to understand oneself that he is eternally servitor of the Supreme Lord. This is the information we get from the mouth of Lord Caitanya when He instructed Sanatana Gosvami. He said clearly, on the inquiry of Sanatana Gosvami, that a living entity is eternally servitor of Krsna. Krsna also confirms in the Bhagavad-gita that a living entity is eternally part and parcel of Him, the same thing. To become part and parcel of the whole means the part and parcel is meant for serving the whole. So this is individuality. So even in this material existence, when the living entity is supposed to be merged in matter. Merged in matter means his body made of five elements, and his subtle body made of mind, intelligence, false ego and contaminated consciousness, and his material senses, five active senses and five knowledge-acquiring senses. So although the living entity is merged in these twenty-four elements of matter if he can keep his individuality as the eternal servitor of the Lord, so either he is in spiritual nature or in the material nature, he is to be considered as liberated soul. That is the explanation of authorities. So the same thing is confirmed in this verse, number 14.