Moksha

Moksha:

The ultimate end of every Hindu’s life is moksha, which can be understood in a variety of ways: liberation from rebirth, enlightenment, Self-realization, or union with God.

This is considered to the be the highest purpose of life, although very few can achieve it in a single lifetime and there are a variety of paths to attain it.

The three major paths (Maargs) to Moksha are:

– Gyan Maarg (Path of knowldege)

– Karma Maarg (Path of action)

– Bhakti Maarg (Path of devotion)

Important to remember here is that a vast majority of Hindus will follow all three paths to a varying degree in the course of daily living.

In Hinduism the student is also introduced to many Hindu saints and seers as well as to various Hindu sects.

Sects are those divisions within the religion that believe that the path they have chosen is the only correct one to lead one to Moksha. Although the intent of most sects is to lead the student to a path of moksha, there are many which are misguided. By the time the student has reached his final year of studies (most studies lasted about four years) he would be able to pick a path on his own or be able to identify the false ones.

Hinduism believes that the soul is reborn over and over into new lives. The ultimate goal is to end the suffering of reincarnation by exiting the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Reincarnation is seen as a path leading to this salvation. Human existence is perceived as cyclical rather than linear. Souls can be reborn into humans, plants or animals.

Om Namah Shivay