The history of the emergence and development of Hinduism takes us back centuries. Having in its origins the sacred Eastern scriptures and the Vedas, this doctrine, multifaceted at its core, was formed approximately five millennia before the advent of our era, but it is relevant to this day. This religious philosophy includes many abstract concepts, one of which is moksha. This is a special state of liberation of the soul and its realization of its original immaculate essence.
Illusory reality
According to this doctrine, a person, identifying the soul with the body and the material world in which it resides, takes itself for what it really is not. Therefore, he is in the power of maya, bound by her chains. This word is translated as “not this,” that is, a fraud, an incorrect perception of reality. In order to realize what moksha is in the philosophy of Hinduism, it is necessary to understand the essence of reality seen by the eyes and perceived by other sensory organs.
The material world is generated by higher spiritual energy and there is only its transformation, that is, a reflection of something real that is recognized as non-existent. Instead , the illusory seems more real than the present, although in reality the truth is only the unity of the pure spirit with the energy of the deity and the highest perfection.
The end of the rebirth chain
Until the soul (atman) is aware of its delusions, it becomes chained to the world of the so-called conditioned being, passing one after another a myriad of painful rebirths and serious painful deaths, that is, it is in the carousel of samsara. She does not understand that the mortal is too far from the true greatness of the beauty and perfection of the kingdom, where free thought rules. Hinduism compares the flesh to the shackles, and the perishable, coming, ever-changing and ever-changing world - with an unblown flower, whose characteristics can only be hidden and potential.
Captured by their own vices, poisoned by pride, souls reject the laws of divine predestination, although they were born for high joy and infinite grace. They really don’t understand what moksha is. The definition of this concept in Hinduism is given an unambiguous: awareness of the essence of the identity of unity with Brahman (the Absolute - the source of life), expressed in a state of complete bliss (sachchitananda).
What makes moksha from nirvana different
The end of the series of rebirths comes with the achievement of nirvana. But how do these two states differ? The latter is the highest goal of aspiration in Buddhism. This is an Eastern religious teaching, which has deep roots and similarities with Hinduism, but also significant differences. Buddhism strives for spiritual awakening and enlightenment, there are no gods in it, but only constant self-improvement. In principle, this philosophy, being a hidden atheism, simply cannot believe in the merging of the soul with a higher mind, while moksha does this. The state of nirvana is considered, in essence, the destruction of suffering and is achieved by attaining the highest perfection. Buddhist texts do not give precise definitions of this concept. On the one hand, it turns out that this is a statement of one's own "I", and on the other - a proof of its complete real non-existence, eternal life and self-destruction at the same time.
The difference of interpretations
Moksha in the philosophy of Hinduism is represented in many interpretations that give different directions of this religious teaching. The largest branch of this religion in terms of followers, Vaishnavism, claims that when this state is reached, the soul becomes a devoted and grateful servant of the Supreme Being, which is again called differently. She is called Narayana, Rama, Krishna and Bhagavan Visnu. Another course - dwait - teaches that the complete unity of the human soul with higher energy is generally impossible due to insurmountable differences.
How to achieve moksha
Having found out that moksha is a spiritual rebirth for unity with the Divine essence, it remains only to determine how it is possible to achieve such a state. To do this, you need to free yourself from the chains of karma. This word is translated as “fate”, but in essence it means predestination not only in one of a person’s lives, but in the whole series of rebirths. Everything seems simple here: bad deeds rivet a person to samsara, good deeds unite with God. However, in Jainism, moksha is liberation from any karma, and it does not matter if its effect is positive or negative. It is believed that if such ties with the material world still remained, then their fruits will certainly affect. Therefore, one has to get rid not only of negative traits, but also of all attachments in earthly life.
Where to read about moksha
Moksha is described in many ancient sacred texts of Hinduism. It is possible to obtain information about it in the Mahabharata, Bhagavad-gita, Ramayana and many other scriptures of ancient India. They most often tell that this desire is achieved by selfless love for God and devotion to him. Vishishta-dvaita school teaches that, having attained the highest bliss, a person is already in a spiritual body called sachchitananda, forever enjoying the perfect relationship with the supreme deity.