Hindu concept
Mokshaमोक्ष
mokṣa — liberation — release from the cycle of rebirth
In short
Moksha is liberation — the ultimate goal of Hindu spiritual life: release from samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It is freedom from ignorance and suffering, and the realization of the true self (atman) and its unity with the ultimate reality (Brahman).
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What it means
Moksha is the highest of the four aims of life (purusharthas). Where dharma, artha, and kama order life within the world, moksha is release from the whole round of samsara — an end to the ignorance (avidya) that keeps the soul turning through rebirth after rebirth.
Traditions describe the path differently — the knowledge of the Upanishads (jnana), loving devotion (bhakti), and selfless action (karma yoga) are all held to lead toward it — but they agree on the fruit: the recognition of one's true, deathless self and freedom from suffering. The Bhagavad Gita's closing counsel to surrender fully to the Divine is one of its most beloved promises of this release.
A verse on Moksha
“sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja”
Bhagavad Gita 18.66 · Chapter 18, Moksha-Sannyasa YogaLet go of all your burdens and take refuge in Me alone. I will free you from all that weighs on you; do not grieve.
Krishna's final, crowning counsel to Arjuna at the close of the Gita, on the field of Kurukshetra — to surrender every burden and take refuge in the Divine alone.
Deities of Moksha
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About Moksha
What is moksha?
Moksha is liberation — release from samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It is freedom from ignorance and suffering, and the realization of the true self and its unity with ultimate reality.
How is moksha achieved in Hinduism?
Traditions point to several paths — the knowledge of the Upanishads (jnana), loving devotion (bhakti), and selfless action (karma yoga) — all understood to lead toward the same freedom and self-realization.
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