A Way Of Life
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In Hindu philosophy, artha means materialism, kama means sensual pleasures, dharma means righteousness, and moksha means liberation. Contrary to common belief, the first two are not frowned upon, but are merely not to be fulfilled at the cost of dharma. Another lesson is to slowly relinquish the first two, practice the third, to achieve the last…
Four Main Aims Of Life
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Let’s check out some thoughts on these four main aims of the Hindu way of life…is it all that easy to give up artha and kama; is it too tough to practice dharma; and is moksha a matter of one lifetime…
Kama Sutra
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“A person acquainted with the true principles of this science (Kama Sutra), who preserves his dharma (virtue), his artha (worldly wealth) and his kama (sensual gratification), and who has regard to the customs of the people, is sure to obtain the mastery over his senses. In short, an intelligent and knowing person attending to dharma, artha and kama, without becoming a slave to his passions, will obtain success in everything he may do.” ― Vatsyayana (author of Kama Sutra)
The Three Gunas Lead To Liberation
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“As all the rivers must lead to the sea eventually, All spiritual paths leading to the same goal finally; And all of the variety of life are created certainly; By combination of the three gunas undisputedly.” ― Munindra Misra
Living Life In Harmony
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“Man, whose lifespan is of 100 years, should practise dharma, artha and kama at different times, and in such a manner, that they may harmonise, not clash, in any way. He should acquire learning in his childhood; in his youth and middle age, he should attend to Artha and Kama, and in his old age, he should perform Dharma, and thus seek to gain Moksha, or release from transmigration.”
Moksha Is Nirvana
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“The term Moksha is also used in Buddhism and Jainism. It is similar to the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism.”
A Higher State
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“The goal of life is not Moksha, but evolution to a higher state.” – Sri Aurobindo
An Immortal Soul
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“If we die, shall we cease to live? The widespread belief in the immortality of the soul, and therefore, the belief in Moksha, are problematic for the philosopher.”
An Ideal State Of Knowing
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“Moksha represents an ideal state of cognitive attainment.”
An Absence Of Pain
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“Moksha is described as a positive state of absolute bliss, the state of absolute absence of pain, the state of neither pleasure nor pain, communion with God or the company of God, the realisation of the true nature of the self, an experience obtainable even in our embodied state, obtainable only after our physical death, etc.”
Being Brahman
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“Moksha does not mean any actual change in the nature of the self, but it means a change in standpoint. In other words, Moksha is not merely knowing Brahman – rather, it is being Brahman. Being Brahman is Moksha in its positive sense.”
Knowledge The Only Way
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“According to the Mahabharata, Jnana or Knowledge, seems to be the only way to attain emancipation or Moksha; knowledge alone is capable of cleansing us of our sins.”
Moksha As Freedom From Injustice
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“The concept of Moksha might have originated, depending on how humans tackled the problem of injustice and pessimism.”
Awakening Of The Spirit
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“The Upanishadic concept of Moksha consists in the removal of all fetters, which are ‘avidyais’, and in the consequent awakening of the spirit to the true self, which is non-different from Brahman or The Absolute.”
Release From Birth And Death
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“The fourth goal of life is Moksha, which means ‘release’ from life, particularly from the cycle of death and rebirth. This goal is best practiced in the retirement and renouncer stages of life, although it can be sought in all stages of life, particularly in the two paths of deeds and devotion.” – Robert Van Voorst
Cycle Of Reincarnation
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“The Hindu theory of reincarnation is based upon four basic principles: permanence of the Atman (soul), existence of Maya (the original ignorance), liberation (Moksha) of the atman from Samsara (cycle of life and death) and the law of Karma.”
A Concept Known To All
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“Moksha is called Mukti by the yogis, Nirvana by the Buddhists, and the Kingdom of Heaven by the Christians.”
Bondage Of Flesh
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“Although there are various views among the Hindu thinkers regarding the content of Moksha, all systems agree that Moksha is the liberation of the soul from the bondage of flesh and the limitations of the finite body.”
Being Even Minded
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“He who has no enemy, is friendly and compassionate towards all, who is free from the feelings of ‘me and mine’, even-minded in pain and pleasure, and forbearing these and other epithets of like nature are for him whose one goal in life is Moksha.” – Vivekananda
The Final Word
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“The highest goal to be achieved by any human being is moksha, which means liberation from bondage . Bondage means that state where one always thinks in terms of ‘I’ and ‘mine’. In this state of ‘I’ and ‘mine’ one experiences worries, misery, lack of peace, a feeling of lacking something and a feeling of utter failure or worthlessness.”