Moksha Dharma Nirupanam
THE PATH OF MOKSHA (SALVATION)
Maharshi Veda Vyasa has in one of his important legends exclusively dealth with the path of Moksha (Salvation) as “Moksha Dharma Nirupanam”, as envisaged by Lord Vishnu (one of the most important Hindu Scriptures) gives the secret of Moksha as follows.
- तग्दोपितं स्याद्धमार्थं धर्मो ज्ञानार्थमेव च । ज्ञानं तु ध्यानयोगार्थमचिरात्प्रविमुच्यते ॥
The nature has gifted the human body to lead life in accordance with Dharma (righteousness). Leading life in accordance with Dharma results in the knowledge of Divinity (becoming aware of the Universal Consciousness or Supreme Being). This knowledge in turn will lead to Meditation purifies the karma of innumerable births, and will lead to Moksha (salvation).
- सत्संगश्च विवेकश्च निर्मलं नयनद्वयम् । यस्य नास्ति नरः सोंऽधः कथः न स्यादमार्गगः ॥
Spiritual inter-reactions (Satsangh) and wisdom are two eyes without which man will fall victim to bad ways of life.
- क्रियायसपराः केचिद्वव्रतचर्यादि संयुक्ताः | अज्ञानसंवृतात्मनः संचरंति प्रतारकाः ॥
Many tread hard spiritual paths like tolerating intense cold, heat, thirst and do intense penances foolishly for the sake of Moksha, not knowing the true path of Moksha.
- नाममात्रेण संतुष्टाः कर्मकांडरता नराहः । मंत्रोच्चारणहोमद्दैर्भामिताः क्रुतुविस्तरैः ॥
Many perform loud recitations, Vedic rituals like homa, yagna etc., for Moksha. They are only in illusion because they do not know that only knowledge and awareness of the SUPREME BEING alone can release one from the bondage of Karma, leading to Moksha.
- एकभुक्तोयवासाद्दैर्नियमें कायशोषणैः । मूढाः परोक्षमिच्छंति मम मायाविमोहिताः ||
Many undertake intense fasting to attain Moksha (if so, starvation deaths due to poverty can lead to Moksha). Such people are in delusion because the attainment of true knowledge alone can lead to Moksha.
- देहदंडमात्रेण का मुक्तिरविवेकनाम | वल्मीकताडनादेव मृतः कुत्रः महोरगः ॥
There is no point in trying to punish the body in the name of spiritual discipline without the purification of mind. It is just like beating the ant-hole with the stick to kill the snake inside.
- गृहारण्यसमा लोके गतव्रीडा दिगंबराः । चरंति गर्दभाद्याश्च विरक्तास्ते भवंति किम् ||
Many walk around among people naked thinking that they have conquered their ego. These people are not true renunciants for Moksha, because if that is so animals are naked and they should get Moksha.
- मृद्भस्मोद्धूलनादेव मुक्ताः स्युर्यदि मानवाः । मृद्भस्मवासी नित्यं श्वास किं मुक्तो भविष्यति ॥
Some apply holy ash of all types on their body and walk around for Moksha. Dogs and Donkeys roam around with all the dirt and mud on them, do they get Moksha?
- अजन्ममरणांतं च गंगादितटिनीस्थिताः | मंडूकमत्स्यप्रमुखा योगिनस्ते भवंति किम ॥
Without cleaning the mind, if one lives on the banks of holy rivers like Ganga, Moksha does not come to him. If so, Frogs and Fishes virtually live in the holy waters of these rivers, do they get Moksha?
- पारावताः शिलाहाराः कदाचिदपि चातकाः । न पिबंति महीतोयं व्रतिनस्ते भवंति किम् ॥
Some people give up food and water seeking Moksha. If so, there are many birds which do not drink water from the earth sources except collecting it from dew. They do not get Moksha.
- षड्दर्शनमहाकूपे पतिताः पशवः खगः । परमार्थं न जानंति पशुपाश नियंत्रिताः ॥
Many propound six schools of philosophy and become proficient in them. But true knowledge eludes them for they do not know that true spiritual practise alone can lead to Moksha.
- वेदशास्त्रार्णवे घोरे ऊह्यमाना इतस्ततः । षडूमिनिग्रहग्रस्तांस्तिष्ठंति हि कुतार्किकाः ॥
Many dive deep into the depts of Vedas and Scriptures and indulge in debates with great scholars and pandits, but they don’t have the true knowledge about Moksha.
- वेदागमपुराणज्ञः परमार्थं न वेत्ति यः । विडंबकस्य तस्यैव तत्सर्वं काक भाषितम् ॥
Merely reciting Vedas, Agamas (invocation) and legends (Puranas) without knowing the secret of Moksha is just like crows making noise, and nothing but that.
- कथयंत्युन्मनीभावं स्वयं नानुभवंतिच । अहंकाररताः केचिदुपदेशादिवर्जिताः ॥
Some people become good exponents of transcendental knowledge (Universal Consciousness) but do not conduct themselves to its values, because they are ego centric and do not have proper guidance by true Guru for Spiritual practises.
- पठंति वेदशास्त्राणि बोधयंति परस्परम् । न जानंति परं तत्वं दर्वी पाकरसं यथा ॥
Many preach scriptures to others but they do not know the inner secret of it, just as the spoon does not know the taste of the dishes.
- तत्वमात्मस्थमज्ञात्वा मूढः शास्त्रेषु मुह्यति । गोपः कुक्षिगते छागे कूपे पश्यति दुर्मति ॥
Many preach the scriptures to know the secret of Moksha, not knowing that it is within themselves and they have to turn INWARD.
- संसारमोहनाशाय श्ब्दबोधो नहि क्षमः । न निवर्तेत तिमिरं कदाचिद्दीपवार्तया ॥
Merely speaking or debating on the transcendental nature of the SUPREME BEING, Moksha does not come, just merely talking light cannot dispel the darkness. Only by realising the nature of the SUPREME BEING ignorance can be dispelled.
- इदं ज्ञानमिदं ज्ञेयं सर्वं तु श्रोतुमिच्छति । दिव्यवर्षसहस्त्रायुः शास्त्रंतं नैव गच्छति ॥
Many indulge in intense study of scriptures in order to gain knowledge. The scripture is infinite in number and therefore even thousand years of age cannot help to master it.
- अनेकानि च शास्त्राणि स्वल्पायुर्विघ्न कोटियः । तस्मात्सारं विजानियात्क्षीरं हंस इवांभसि ||
Because scriptures are too many, only the essence has to be taken from the scripture, just as a swan consumes only milk leaving out water from milk.
- अभ्यस्य वेदशास्त्राणि तत्वं ज्ञात्वाऽथबुद्धिमान् । पलालमिव धान्यार्थि सर्वशास्त्राणि संत्यजेत् ॥
An intelligent knowledge Sadhaka/Seeker will sieve through the scriptures and take only the essence and leave the rest, just as a farmer takes rice out of paddy and discard the barn.
- यथाऽमृतेन तृप्तस्य नाहारेण प्रयोजनम् । तत्वज्ञास्य तथा तार्क्ष्य न शास्त्रोण प्रयोजनम् ॥
For him who has realised the knowledge of the SUPREME BEING, the scriptures become less relevant.
- न वेदाध्ययनान्मुक्तिर्न शास्त्रपठनादपि । ज्ञानदेव हि कैवम्यं नान्यथा विनतात्मज ॥
Moksha is not attainable by mere study of Vedas and Scriptures. It is attainable only by realising the SUPREME BEING through Meditation.
- नाश्रमः कारणं मुक्तेर्दर्शनानि न कारणम् । तथैव सर्वकर्माणि ज्ञानमेव हि कारणम् ॥
Following the four Varna ashrams or having the visualisation of six chakra’s or by any other actions Moksha is not attainable. Only through knowledge alone Moksha is attainable.
- आगमोक्तं विवेकोत्थं द्विधा ज्ञानं प्रचक्षते । शब्दब्रह्मागममयं परब्रह्मविवेकजम् ॥
Knowledge is of two types. One is out of Agamas meaning that which is gained from outside. The other is born out of one’s own wisdom (by turning INWARD). What is learnt from outside is called Auditory knowledge. What is born out of wisdom is the transcendental knowledge.
- अद्वैतं केचिदिच्छंति चापरे । समं तत्वं न जानंति द्वैताद्वैतविवर्जितम् ॥
Many propound the philosophies of Monotheism (Adwaitha) and others debate it as Dual (soul and super soul-Dwaitha). But nobody knows the truth that the SUPREME BEING is EVEN and ABSOLUTE (beyond all these things).
- द्वे पदे बंधमोक्षाय न ममेति ममति च । ममेति बध्यते जंतुर्न ममेति प्रमुच्यते ||
Only two principles are the main causes for the bondage and Moksha. Ego leads to bondage and dissolution of it leads to Moksha.
- तावत्तपो व्रतं तिथं जप होमार्चनादिकम । वेदशास्त्रागम कथा यावत्तत्वं न विंदति ॥
So long as the knowledge and awareness of the Universal Being is not attained (become aware of), Vedic practises like Homa, Yagna, Sacrificial fire, reading of scriptures, and visiting holy places are all helpful. Once Awareness ALIGNS with the UNIVERSAL BEING, all the above things are less relevant.
Moksha is attainable only by following the path of DHARMA (Comprehensive Righteous way of life). Following the path of Dharma leads to the knowledge of becoming aware of the Universal Consciousness. This knowledge in turn leads to MEDITATION for the realisation of the same. Sincere, devotional and regular practise of meditation on the Universal Being ultimately results in MOKSHA (Salvation) through the purification of karma.
Only meditation is capable of purifying the accumulated karma of innumerable births. Thus, Dharma and Meditation on the Supreme Being are the key to Moksha.
Moksha Dharma Nirupanam
THE PATH OF MOKSHA (SALVATION)
Maharshi Veda Vyasa has in one of his important legends exclusively dealth with the path of Moksha (Salvation) as “Moksha Dharma Nirupanam”, as envisaged by Lord Vishnu (one of the most important Hindu Scriptures) gives the secret of Moksha as follows.
- तग्दोपितं स्याद्धमार्थं धर्मो ज्ञानार्थमेव च । ज्ञानं तु ध्यानयोगार्थमचिरात्प्रविमुच्यते ॥
The nature has gifted the human body to lead life in accordance with Dharma (righteousness). Leading life in accordance with Dharma results in the knowledge of Divinity (becoming aware of the Universal Consciousness or Supreme Being). This knowledge in turn will lead to Meditation purifies the karma of innumerable births, and will lead to Moksha (salvation).
- सत्संगश्च विवेकश्च निर्मलं नयनद्वयम् । यस्य नास्ति नरः सोंऽधः कथः न स्यादमार्गगः ॥
Spiritual inter-reactions (Satsangh) and wisdom are two eyes without which man will fall victim to bad ways of life.
- क्रियायसपराः केचिद्वव्रतचर्यादि संयुक्ताः | अज्ञानसंवृतात्मनः संचरंति प्रतारकाः ॥
Many tread hard spiritual paths like tolerating intense cold, heat, thirst and do intense penances foolishly for the sake of Moksha, not knowing the true path of Moksha.
- नाममात्रेण संतुष्टाः कर्मकांडरता नराहः । मंत्रोच्चारणहोमद्दैर्भामिताः क्रुतुविस्तरैः ॥
Many perform loud recitations, Vedic rituals like homa, yagna etc., for Moksha. They are only in illusion because they do not know that only knowledge and awareness of the SUPREME BEING alone can release one from the bondage of Karma, leading to Moksha.
- एकभुक्तोयवासाद्दैर्नियमें कायशोषणैः । मूढाः परोक्षमिच्छंति मम मायाविमोहिताः ||
Many undertake intense fasting to attain Moksha (if so, starvation deaths due to poverty can lead to Moksha). Such people are in delusion because the attainment of true knowledge alone can lead to Moksha.
- देहदंडमात्रेण का मुक्तिरविवेकनाम | वल्मीकताडनादेव मृतः कुत्रः महोरगः ॥
There is no point in trying to punish the body in the name of spiritual discipline without the purification of mind. It is just like beating the ant-hole with the stick to kill the snake inside.
- गृहारण्यसमा लोके गतव्रीडा दिगंबराः । चरंति गर्दभाद्याश्च विरक्तास्ते भवंति किम् ||
Many walk around among people naked thinking that they have conquered their ego. These people are not true renunciants for Moksha, because if that is so animals are naked and they should get Moksha.
- मृद्भस्मोद्धूलनादेव मुक्ताः स्युर्यदि मानवाः । मृद्भस्मवासी नित्यं श्वास किं मुक्तो भविष्यति ॥
Some apply holy ash of all types on their body and walk around for Moksha. Dogs and Donkeys roam around with all the dirt and mud on them, do they get Moksha?
- अजन्ममरणांतं च गंगादितटिनीस्थिताः | मंडूकमत्स्यप्रमुखा योगिनस्ते भवंति किम ॥
Without cleaning the mind, if one lives on the banks of holy rivers like Ganga, Moksha does not come to him. If so, Frogs and Fishes virtually live in the holy waters of these rivers, do they get Moksha?
- पारावताः शिलाहाराः कदाचिदपि चातकाः । न पिबंति महीतोयं व्रतिनस्ते भवंति किम् ॥
Some people give up food and water seeking Moksha. If so, there are many birds which do not drink water from the earth sources except collecting it from dew. They do not get Moksha.
- षड्दर्शनमहाकूपे पतिताः पशवः खगः । परमार्थं न जानंति पशुपाश नियंत्रिताः ॥
Many propound six schools of philosophy and become proficient in them. But true knowledge eludes them for they do not know that true spiritual practise alone can lead to Moksha.
- वेदशास्त्रार्णवे घोरे ऊह्यमाना इतस्ततः । षडूमिनिग्रहग्रस्तांस्तिष्ठंति हि कुतार्किकाः ॥
Many dive deep into the depts of Vedas and Scriptures and indulge in debates with great scholars and pandits, but they don’t have the true knowledge about Moksha.
- वेदागमपुराणज्ञः परमार्थं न वेत्ति यः । विडंबकस्य तस्यैव तत्सर्वं काक भाषितम् ॥
Merely reciting Vedas, Agamas (invocation) and legends (Puranas) without knowing the secret of Moksha is just like crows making noise, and nothing but that.
- कथयंत्युन्मनीभावं स्वयं नानुभवंतिच । अहंकाररताः केचिदुपदेशादिवर्जिताः ॥
Some people become good exponents of transcendental knowledge (Universal Consciousness) but do not conduct themselves to its values, because they are ego centric and do not have proper guidance by true Guru for Spiritual practises.
- पठंति वेदशास्त्राणि बोधयंति परस्परम् । न जानंति परं तत्वं दर्वी पाकरसं यथा ॥
Many preach scriptures to others but they do not know the inner secret of it, just as the spoon does not know the taste of the dishes.
- तत्वमात्मस्थमज्ञात्वा मूढः शास्त्रेषु मुह्यति । गोपः कुक्षिगते छागे कूपे पश्यति दुर्मति ॥
Many preach the scriptures to know the secret of Moksha, not knowing that it is within themselves and they have to turn INWARD.
- संसारमोहनाशाय श्ब्दबोधो नहि क्षमः । न निवर्तेत तिमिरं कदाचिद्दीपवार्तया ॥
Merely speaking or debating on the transcendental nature of the SUPREME BEING, Moksha does not come, just merely talking light cannot dispel the darkness. Only by realising the nature of the SUPREME BEING ignorance can be dispelled.
- इदं ज्ञानमिदं ज्ञेयं सर्वं तु श्रोतुमिच्छति । दिव्यवर्षसहस्त्रायुः शास्त्रंतं नैव गच्छति ॥
Many indulge in intense study of scriptures in order to gain knowledge. The scripture is infinite in number and therefore even thousand years of age cannot help to master it.
- अनेकानि च शास्त्राणि स्वल्पायुर्विघ्न कोटियः । तस्मात्सारं विजानियात्क्षीरं हंस इवांभसि ||
Because scriptures are too many, only the essence has to be taken from the scripture, just as a swan consumes only milk leaving out water from milk.
- अभ्यस्य वेदशास्त्राणि तत्वं ज्ञात्वाऽथबुद्धिमान् । पलालमिव धान्यार्थि सर्वशास्त्राणि संत्यजेत् ॥
An intelligent knowledge Sadhaka/ Seeker will sieve through the scriptures and take only the essence and leave the rest, just as a farmer takes rice out of paddy and discard the barn.
- यथाऽमृतेन तृप्तस्य नाहारेण प्रयोजनम् । तत्वज्ञास्य तथा तार्क्ष्य न शास्त्रोण प्रयोजनम् ॥
For him who has realised the knowledge of the SUPREME BEING, the scriptures become less relevant.
- न वेदाध्ययनान्मुक्तिर्न शास्त्रपठनादपि । ज्ञानदेव हि कैवम्यं नान्यथा विनतात्मज ॥
Moksha is not attainable by mere study of Vedas and Scriptures. It is attainable only by realising the SUPREME BEING through Meditation.
- नाश्रमः कारणं मुक्तेर्दर्शनानि न कारणम् । तथैव सर्वकर्माणि ज्ञानमेव हि कारणम् ॥
Following the four Varna ashrams or having the visualisation of six chakra’s or by any other actions Moksha is not attainable. Only through knowledge alone Moksha is attainable.
- आगमोक्तं विवेकोत्थं द्विधा ज्ञानं प्रचक्षते । शब्दब्रह्मागममयं परब्रह्मविवेकजम् ॥
Knowledge is of two types. One is out of Agamas meaning that which is gained from outside. The other is born out of one’s own wisdom (by turning INWARD). What is learnt from outside is called Auditory knowledge. What is born out of wisdom is the transcendental knowledge.
- अद्वैतं केचिदिच्छंति चापरे । समं तत्वं न जानंति द्वैताद्वैतविवर्जितम् ॥
Many propound the philosophies of Monotheism (Adwaitha) and others debate it as Dual (soul and super soul-Dwaitha). But nobody knows the truth that the SUPREME BEING is EVEN and ABSOLUTE (beyond all these things).
- द्वे पदे बंधमोक्षाय न ममेति ममति च । ममेति बध्यते जंतुर्न ममेति प्रमुच्यते ||
Only two principles are the main causes for the bondage and Moksha. Ego leads to bondage and dissolution of it leads to Moksha.
- तावत्तपो व्रतं तिथं जप होमार्चनादिकम । वेदशास्त्रागम कथा यावत्तत्वं न विंदति ॥
So long as the knowledge and awareness of the Universal Being is not attained (become aware of), Vedic practises like Homa, Yagna, Sacrificial fire, reading of scriptures, and visiting holy places are all helpful. Once Awareness ALIGNS with the UNIVERSAL BEING, all the above things are less relevant.
Moksha is attainable only by following the path of DHARMA (Comprehensive Righteous way of life). Following the path of Dharma leads to the knowledge of becoming aware of the Universal Consciousness. This knowledge in turn leads to MEDITATION for the realisation of the same. Sincere, devotional and regular practise of meditation on the Universal Being ultimately results in MOKSHA (Salvation) through the purification of karma.
Only meditation is capable of purifying the accumulated karma of innumerable births. Thus, Dharma and Meditation on the Supreme Being are the key to Moksha.