If we try to understand the meaning of self realization, the present query would not exist. We reached self-realization only after cutting all earthly bondages forever. So much so that we even liberated self from cycle of birth and death gaining moksha salvation at the end of journey
Self realization in English stood for state of enlightenment, the stage when in absence of dross impurities within a soul atman reaches state of absolute purity.
The entire purpose of cosmic journey in human form is gaining emancipation from cycle of birth and death, regaining our lost original pure prime pristine primordial form.
Self realization is not that easily achieved. In the last about 150 years amongst 7 billion people existing world over only Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Maharshi Ramana finally made it. For a self realized soul, life itself ceases to exist.
After gaining self-realization there were three alternatives for a self realized soul:
1. The moment one becomes a pure soul atman, one was free to abandon the human garb and reach the state of moksha salvation. This becomes possible when an enlightened one left mortal frame. Gautama Buddha gained self realization at 80 years of age; he left his mortal frame at 81.
2. After reaching state of self realization one decides to continue earthly journey of life, retains the human garb and disseminates back to entire humanity jnana wisdom gained on path of self realization. Mahavira reached state of self realization 42 years of age. For full 30 years he engaged in deshna (spiritual discourses) and left mortal frame at 72 years of age.
3. Once silently reaches state of self realization in isolation in deep dense jungles, Himalayas. Thereafter one immediately decides to quit the body. One can do this of ones own within 3 hours.