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• Moksha


  Freedom (from samsara)
• Two things required for moksha

  • A person's own efforts – spiritual actions (akarma) such as puja of the deity, japa, kirtan, reading scriptures, pilgrimage, etc.
  • The grace (kripa) of Bhagavan
• Vedas: '"Moksha is removal of identification with the material body and mind, and the direct experience of oneself as the atma"'
• Vedas scriptural references on moksha

  • Gajendra story – shows how both akarma and kripa are required
• Two results of any moksha (personal or impersonal)

  • Removing identification with the material body
  • Having a direct experience of oneself as the atma, as part of the Absolute Reality
• Third possible result of moksha

  Having a spiritual identity and loving relationship with the Absolute
• Three reasons that Hindus want moksha

  • To become free from tritapa
  • To experience their true identiy as the atma
  • To have a loving relationship with the Supreme Person and serve him
• How do Hindus worship the deity?


  • Arati – offering fire lamp to the deity (as the source of fire and light)
  • Offering bhoga – edible leaves, flowers and foods to the deity (usually vegetarian). The blessed food is consumed as prashadam
  • Kirtan – singing the names/pastimes of the deity to the deity
  • Havan – fire sacrifice to a deity with a specific goal
• How do Hindus worship apart from puja?

  • Japa – silent or very quiet meditation of a mantra
  • Kirtan – singing and chanting God's names/devotional songs of saints
  • Svadhyaya – study of scripture
  • Yatra – pilgrimage