MOKSHA: emancipation. Freedom from saṃsāra, the cycle of death and rebirth.
Notes from Kisari Mohan Ganguli in the Mahabharata translation:
- To attain to Emancipation one must practise a life of Renunciation instead of continuing in the domestic mode.
- It should be noted here that the Hindu idea of emancipation is not bliss enjoyed by a conscious Self, but freedom from the obligation of re-birth and Karma.
- Action, as explained in a subsequent Sloka (Udyoga Parva: Sanat-sujata Parva: Section XLII), leadeth, it is true to regions of bliss and emancipation, but that state is transitory, for when the merit is extinguished, the state that was attained in consequence of it, is extinguished, and the person falling off, has to recommence action. If, therefore, permanent emancipation is to be attained, the obligation of re-commencing action must be got rid of, i.e., care must be taken that the portions of the route once passed over may not have to be re-trodden.
'After the dissolution of the body, man, according to his acts, re-entereth the womb of his mother and stayeth there in an indistinct form, and soon after assuming a distinct and visible shape reappeareth in the world and walketh on its surface. This is that Earth-hell (Bhauma) where he falleth, for he beholdeth not the termination of his existence and acteth not towards his emancipation. Some dwell for sixty thousand years, some, for eighty-thousand years in heaven, and then they fall. And as they fall, they are attacked by certain Rakshasas in the form of sons, grandsons, and other relatives, that withdraw their hearts from acting for their own emancipation.'
The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Aranyaka Parva: Section I (extract):
Verily association with fools produceth an illusion that entangleth the mind, as daily communion with the good and the wise leadeth to the practice of virtue. Therefore, they that desire emancipation should associate with those that are wise and old and honest and pure in conduct and possessed of ascetic merit.
The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Markandeya-Samasya Parva: Section CLXLIX (extract):
One may attain to heaven by asceticism, one may obtain objects of enjoyment by the practice of charity and may have his sins purged off by ablutions in tirthas (pilgrimage sites and holy places). But complete emancipation cannot be had except by knowledge.
The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Ghosha-yatra Parva: Section CCLIX (extract):
And having obtained power by means of knowledge, and acquired excellent understanding, he attained that supreme state of emancipation which is regarded as Eternal.
The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva: Sanat-sujata Parva: Section XLIV (extract):
Men, by work, however pure, obtain only worlds that are perishable; he, however, that is blessed with Knowledge, attaineth, by the aid of that Knowledge, to Brahman which is everlasting. There is no other path (than Knowledge or the attainment of Brahman) leading to emancipation.
