The Ultimate Goal in Hinduism: Moksha or Nirvana?
The Ultimate Goal in Hinduism: Moksha or Nirvana?
In Hinduism, the ultimate goal of spiritual pursuit is often discussed in terms of two key concepts: Moksha and Nirvana. However, the nature and understanding of these concepts can vary significantly depending on the philosophical school one adheres to within Hinduism. This article explores these concepts and their significance in Hindu philosophy.
Understanding Moksha and Nirvana in Hinduism
Moksha,often referred to as 'liberation' in English, is the ultimate goal of Hinduism. It signifies the liberation from the cycle of rebirth or Samsara. Nirvana, a term more commonly associated with Buddhism, has similar connotations of freedom from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
A Dharmic Perspective on Moksha
The dharmic path to Moksha is attained through various religious practices, philosophical studies, and personal transformation. According to Hindu scriptures and various schools of thought, the ultimate attainment of Moksha varies based on the philosophical system one subscribes to. For instance, in the Nor-dualist Advaita school, the path to Moksha involves the realization of one's true identity with the Supreme Reality, denoted as Brahman.
Advaita Moksha: The Path to Non-Dual Reality
According to the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, the ultimate Goal (Moksha) is the realization of non-duality between the individual self (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman). This is expressed in the Great Saying of Suka in the Mahabharata:
"Knowledge one attains to that whither there is no occasion for grief, whither one becomes freed from birth and death, whither one is not subject to decrepitude. Whither one transcends the state of conscious existence. Whither is Brahma which is Supreme, Unmanifest, immutable, ever-existent, imperceptible, above the reach of pain, immortal and transcending destruction. Whither all become freed from the influence of all pairs of opposites like pleasure and pain etc. as also wish or purpose. Reaching that stage they cast equal eyes on everything, becoming universal friends and devoted to the good of all the creatures."
This segment from the Mahabharata emphasizes the idea of attaining a state where one transcends the duality of existence and sorrow, becoming liberated and unified with the supreme reality.
Yoga and the Path to Moksha
According to the Mahabharata, those who attain perfect Yoga—a state of supreme meditation—are free from the influences of the senses and desires. Perfect Yoga is described as follows:
"When men of knowledge conversant with the rules of Yoga become as fixed as a stake of wood and as immovable as a mountain, then are they said to be in Yoga. When one does not hear and smell and taste and see, when one is not conscious of any touch, when one’s mind becomes perfectly free from every purpose, when one is not conscious of anything, when one cherishes no thought, when one becomes like a piece of wood, then is one called by the wise to be in perfect Yoga. At such a time one shines like a lamp that burns in a place where there is no wind, at such a time one becomes freed even from one’s subtle form and perfectly united with Brahman. When one attains to such progress, one has no longer to ascend or to fall among intermediate beings. When persons like ourselves say that there has been a complete identification of the Knower, the Known, and Knowledge, then is the Yogin said to behold the Supreme Soul."
Difference in Moksha: Dvaita Vedanta
Unlike Advaita, the Dvaita Vedanta school has a slightly different conception of Moksha. It posits that even those who attain Moksha are not fully united with Brahman but remain distinct, albeit in close proximity to it. They do not accept even Samyujya, which in the Advaita tradition means complete identification with Brahman.
Five Types of Moksha in Dvaita Vedanta
The Dvaita tradition enumerates five types of Moksha, namely:
Salokya: living in the same sphere as God (one's consciousness is in the same place as God). Sarsti: possessing God’s powers. Samipya: being in close proximity to God. Sarupya: having a form similar to God’s. Sayujya: being one with God.Sri Vaishnava literature refers to all these as different forms of Moksha and states that even when offered all these beings do not accept even one form of Moksha.
“Such devotees do not accept even when offered any of the five forms of liberation Moksha Salokya, Sarshti, Samipya, Sarupya, and Sayujyu...” - Srimad Bhagavata Purana
Conclusion: The Search for Ultimate Liberation
The concept of Moksha, whether in the context of Advaita or Dvaita, aims to provide a framework for individuals to achieve a state of supreme liberation or enlightenment. While the paths may differ, the ultimate goal remains the same: the cessation of the sufferings of Samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and the attainment of a state of perfect peace and unity. Understanding these concepts can provide insights into the deep philosophical and spiritual traditions of Hinduism.