Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, Verse 28

यतेन्द्रियमनोबुद्धिर्मुनिर्मोक्षपरायणः | विगतेच्छाभयक्रोधो यः सदा मुक्त एव सः ||

yatendriyamanobuddhir munir mokṣa-parāyaṇaḥ vigatecchābhayakrodho yaḥ sadā mukta eva saḥ

One who has controlled senses, mind, and intellect, who is devoted to liberation, and who is free from desire, fear, and anger—he is always liberated.

Krishna describes the sage who is always liberated: one who has controlled senses, mind, and intellect (yatendriyamanobuddhiḥ), who is devoted to liberation (mokṣa-parāyaṇaḥ), and who is free from desire, fear, and anger (vigatecchābhayakrodhaḥ). Such a person (saḥ) is always (sadā) liberated (muktaḥ eva). This means liberation isn't a future state—it's a present reality when you've controlled your senses, mind, and intellect, are devoted to liberation, and are free from desire, fear, and anger. The key is being free from desire, fear, and anger—these are the three main obstacles to liberation. When you're free from them and have controlled your faculties, you're always liberated.