The word `mokShā ‘ is derived from the root verb `mokSh’ which means: to wish to free one’s self (or) seek deliverance; to free one’s self from, (or) to shake off. The implied meaning of ‘mokShā ’ is ‘total freedom’ or ‘total fulfilment’.

Although normally we take the word ‘mokShā ’ to mean disembodiment or death, that is not correct. Shedding the mortal body is of course a kind of shaking off, but death is not a guarantee for ‘total freedom’ or ‘total fulfilment’. Let us park that inquiry for the time being.

The main point is to treat ’mokShā ’ as the goal by which we become totally free and forever fulfilled, not after death, not in another life, but in this life, in this world, and if possible, from this very moment! Those we recognize the need and value of such a goal and passionately go after that goal are called ’mumukShu’ or the ‘seeker of liberation’.

But why should I be a mumukShu? What is the reason for me to seek freedom? Am I imprisoned? I want happiness and fulfilment, and that’s why I am after god job, lots of money, great family, and so many top-class goals in my sight. I would rather seek scriptures to help me in these goals, if it can! Why should I seek liberation?

If these are the questions arising in your mind, you are not alone. Most of us are not even aware of ‘mokShā ’ being a goal. Of course, if ‘mokShā ’ is taken to mean death, who will keep it as a goal? Even if ‘mokShā ’ is to be understood as ‘total fulfilment’, while I can probably accept it as a goal, why can’t I get total fulfilment from the worldly objects of desire! Can I not pursue the 3 goals, dharmā , artha and kāma, and leave out the mokShā ?

Absolutely we can, and also we should for now!

In fact, the big part of Veda is devoted mainly to help us in our search for happiness in the objects of desire either in this life or in every life after life. Surely, for anything and everything that we seek, there exists a dharmā in our scriptures, in the form of prescribed karma and by performing those karma, Veda says, that there is a good chance that the desired objects are achieved. If so, where is the problem?

(to be continued – Mee. Rajagopalan – 31/05/2017)