________________
Means of Self-Realization Let us first see what is liberation and self-realization
according to Śrīmad.Śrīmad says that total stability of the self in its nature is liberation.' Elsewhere he says, "Total negation or absence of misery or suffering and accomplishment of the highest unobstructed bliss. itself is liberation." He explains liberation by dividing it into two parts, 1) when the soul is stable in its nature. there is no influx of karmas; it is called bhāva mokṣa ;and, 2) when the soul is completely freed from all karma-particles; it is called dravya mokṣa.3 Again he describes liberation as the soul achieving its pure conscious state (caitanya-svarūpa). Commenting on the right path of liberation he says," One who possesses right faith, atma-jñāna, and a conduct free from passions (rāga and dveṣa) and whose intellect is balanced is on the right path." He says that soul is not without a natural state, but it (soul) is not aware of it. So it has to be made aware of that state. When this happens, the resultant state is called by the vitarāgīns the state of liberation." He describes mokṣa as a state of the soul, where, as a result of accomplishment of perfect right faith. knowledge and conduct, the soul is stable in its own nature and is free from karma whatsoever and enjoys unobstructed bliss. It is a state where the soul totally stands differentiated and
165
