Freedom is defined as the freedom from sufferings, relationships, conflicts, and responsibilities. It is the treasure that every soul is longing for — in spiritual terms, this ultimate freedom is known as moksha. But what do we usually do to attain it? Searching for better relationships, fewer responsibilities, and more quality time. This is a kind of running away from the reality that we are conditioned souls and are bound to be in these conflicts. This is why, when we run away from it, we feel loneliness, depression, anxiety, anger, have negative thoughts, and an overall unhappy lifestyle.
What is Moksha
Moksha stands for Freedom, meaning the release of the soul from the repetitive cycle of birth, suffering, and death. It is the original way of the soul’s return to its original state – eternal and blissful. Now, this isn’t an escape from responsibilities or anything. It is an acknowledgement of the soul to its nature, which was illusioned by the material world.
In today's world, people think of Moksha as something that is reserved for Sages, Saints, or people from previous yugas. But, in reality, it is the eternal identity of every soul. It is the state of infinite peace and bliss, without the interference of death and other sufferings. Its only purpose is to awaken the soul into reality, which is beyond the material body and mind.
Understanding moksha is important to restructure life goals, change the perspective we have about ourselves, and aim life activities towards liberation.
In the Bhagavat Geeta As It Is, Lord Krishna explained about moksha:
कर्मजं बुद्धियुक्ता हि फलं त्यक्त्वा मनीषिणः ।
जन्मबन्धविनिर्मुक्ताः पदं गच्छन्त्यनामयम् ॥ ५१ ॥
~Bg. 2.51
Lord Krishna says: By thus engaging in devotional service to the Lord, great sages or devotees free themselves from the results of work in the material world. In this way, they become free from the cycle of birth and death and attain the state beyond all miseries [by going back to Godhead].
In Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 6, Chapter 14, it states:
मुक्तानामपि सिद्धानां नारायणपरायण: ।
सुदुर्लभ: प्रशान्तात्मा कोटिष्वपि महामुने ॥ ५ ॥
~ŚB 6.14.5
Translation: O great sage, among many millions who are liberated and perfect in knowledge of liberation, you may be a devotee of Lord Nārāyaṇa, or Kṛṣṇa. Such devotees, who are fully peaceful, are extremely rare.
The Four Paths of Attaining Moksha
In the Vedic Scriptures, there are four main paths of liberation, including Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. Let’s understand each path, its uniqueness, and the most effective you for liberation in this Kali Yuga.
1) Jnana Yoga(The Path of Knowledge)
This is the path of spirituality, where you seek the real knowledge about the Supreme Lord through Vedic Scriptures. It is suitable to understand the actual difference between the soul and the matter(body). It includes the reading of Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita, and understanding the relationship of the soul from the impersonal form of the Supreme Lord, Brahman.
2) Karma Yoga(The path of selfless Actions)
It is the path where initial knowledge about the soul and the Super soul is the prior need. Once a person understands that the duties must be performed without the desire for fruit, he/she focuses on performing the duties without worrying about their result/ karmic reactions.
3) Raja Yoga(The Path of Meditation)
In this path, a person focuses on yoga and asanas to concentrate the energy. It includes control breathing, a focused mind, and inner stillness. It is required to awaken the spiritual consciousness of the soul gradually.
4) Bhakti Yoga(The Path of Devotion)
The most accessible path in the age of Kali is Bhakti Yoga. It involves countless chantings, selfless services, and worship towards the Lord. In this process, a person naturally detaches from the material illusion and attaches to Lord Krishna.
According to Vedic Scriptures, Bhakti Yoga is considered the most effective and recommended path for devotion in the Kali Yuga. It’s because the modern world is filled with countless distractions, including relationship conflicts, technological distractions, selfish activities, and many more. In such a spiritually degraded environment, the constant chanting of holy names is the easiest way to awaken the Krishna Consciousness.
The traditional ways of liberation, like raj yoga and jnana yoga, require intense focus, long meditations, and years of hard and disciplined training. These methods are nearly impossible for today’s busy mindsets and professional lifestyles, and aren’t suitable for the liberation of this age's souls.
Bhakti yoga includes the chanting of the holy names of Lord Krishna and Srimati RadhaRani. Lord Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu provided these holy names in this age of Kali to ease their journey towards liberation.
“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.”
Chanting this mantra purifies the senses, removes the lifetime's karmic reactions, and awakens the soul’s Krishna consciousness. Bhakti Yoga doesn’t need wealth, high scholarships, or any prestigious family background. It only requires sincerity, constant practice, and humility towards the holy names of the Supreme Lord.
Steps to Attain Liberation
1) Chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamatra: Chanting the mahamantra purifies the inner consciousness of the souls. The sacred sound vibrations of this mantra help the souls to identify their true identity. This true identity is hidden by the layer of material illusion, but regular chanting breaks this layer.
2) Reading the holy scriptures: With the regular chantings, you must read the Vedic scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. It delivers the real knowledge about a soul – it’s existence and relationship with the Super soul. Regularly reading a verse or page from the scriptures nourishes and strengthens the intellect spiritually.
3) Follow the Four Regulative Principles: His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, the founder-acharya of the Hare Krishna Movement, provided the four regulative principles, as follows:
1. No meat-eating
2. No intoxication
3. No gambling
4. No illicit sex
4) Offer Everything to Lord Krishna: In Bhagavad Gita As It Is, it is said:
यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत् ।
यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम् ॥ २७ ॥
~Bg. 9.27
Lord Krishna says: Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform – do that, O son of Kuntī, as an offering to Me.
Final Words
Liberation(Moksha) is the natural state of the soul. To understand this state, reading the Bhagavad Gita, the teachings of Lord Krishna, and chanting the holy names is necessary.
