________________
SPIRITUAL LIGHT.
Moksha. Moksha is derived from a to free, and means freedom or liberation. It is in fact freedom from the bondage of Karma, good as well as bad. The Samsāri Jiva is united with Karma; the dissolution of this union and setting free the Jiva constitute Moksha. It is not the result of Punya but simply the negation of Karma. Punya and Pāpa Karmas like a screen obscure the real nature of Soul; when this screen is torn asunder, Jiva shines in all his glory and fulness, the Soul is then emancipated from the shores of Karma. Moksha is therefore thus definedजीवस्य कृत्स्नकर्मक्षयेण यत्स्वरूपावस्थानं तन्मोक्षः ।
It is Swarūpāwasthāna i. e. attaining to its own nature. It will thus be clear that by Moksha is not meant something extraneous to be obtained by Jiva, but Jiva is only to shake himself free from the Karmic fetters. It is the realisation by Jiva of his natural state.
Moksha is the annihilation by Karma. Now Karmas are of two sorts. Ghātiya and Aghātiya by the destruction of Ghatiya Karmas the Jiva obtains what is called the Bhāva Moksha i. e. subjective liberation. A Jiva in this state retains the Aghatiya Karmas; but he is called Jiwan-Mukta, and is on.. dowed with Infinite knowledge, Infinite perception, Infinite happiness, and Infinite power. The Atman is said to have attained the Arhat status, when the other four karmas are also destroyed; four more qualities are manifested in the Atman,
.
49