Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 5: Renunciation in Action

Bhagavad Gita 5.28

yatendriyamanobuddhirmunirmokṣaparāyaṇaḥ | vigatecchābhayakrodho yaḥ sadā mukta eva saḥ ||

the sage who has controlled the senses, mind, and understanding, who is intent on liberation and free from desire, fear, and anger, is truly free for ever.

Modern context

The description is completed here. With senses, mind and understanding gathered in, with freedom as the single aim, and with desire, fear and anger gone, such a person is 'always free'. They do not become free at some later time. They are free already. Fear appears in the list between desire and anger, and belongs there. Much of what we call prudence is fear, and much of what we call ambition is the same fear running the other way. A person without it can at last act from clear judgment.