Moksha or Release

Reaching a stage of highest understanding and rejection From a Parisamvada by Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra

- Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra

Today our topic is Moksha. It is a new word and not a very pleasant one. Moksha means release. There are four motivations viz. doing duties (Dharma), acquiring wealth (Artha), enjoying (Kama), and then giving up (Moksha). These are standard thoughts in Indian philosophy. One may carry out the other things but the release is also there. The body cannot last, the mind also cannot last. That is the point we have to prepare. Technically in yoga it means gradual withdrawal of the senses, of the sense objects, which naturally mean that the objects are given up. But the cravings of the senses are still there.

Then, at the higher level, we have the mind withdrawal also, and a state comes when there is a complete release from all material things which happens in the case of the traditional Yogi.