Revisiting liberation: analyzing its contemporary relevance in the indian context

Liberation, or Moksha, has long been regarded as the highest Purushartha (human goal) in Indian philosophy, representing a metaphysical concept integral to human existence. Despite its central role, Moksha is often overlooked in daily life. Indian philosophical traditions propose various paths to Moksha, with distinct interpretations across different schools of thought, such as Jnana Marga, Karma Marga, and Bhakti Marga. Common to all paths is the rejection of all the desires of individual self and focusing instead on the connection with the Supreme Soul, Brahman, or the Absolute. Moksha is perceived as the ultimate state of freedom, free from the suffering of the mundane world, representing the true nature of the human soul. However, in contemporary society, there is a noticeable shift towards the pursuit of empirical pleasure derived from sensory experiences, in contrast to the path leading to Moksha. This raises critical questions: Is there a lack of awareness regarding the concept of liberation, or is there a decline in faith in Indian philosophical systems? The pursuit of worldly pleasure may trap individuals in the cycle of bondage, while liberation signifies freedom from the cycle of birth and death. The modern generation’s disconnection from the importance of Moksha could be attributed to factors such as Avidya (ignorance), which prevents individuals from engaging in Niskama Karma, a self-realization path. This paper seeks to explore the reasons for this neglect and aims to advocate for the acceptance and practice of Moksha as the highest Purushartha in the present era, calling attention to its relevance in contemporary spiritual life.