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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailashsagarsuri Gyanmandir
84
Ātman and Moksa
It is necessary to examine the path that the Upanişads prescribed for the attainment of libera. tion. Liberation is not something that can be attained by an individual as something separate and outside him. Liberation, according to the Upanișads, is becoming liberation (Moksa). It is a psychological transformation of the individual who seeks liberation. This freedom is not given and cannot be given as an object; it has to be actually felt. Freedom consists in feeling in oneself, that he is free. As pleasure or happiness is known by actual feeling it, so is liberation. It is a spiritual rebirth; and hence liberation requires a steady and progressive preparation for effecting a psychological conversion in the individual. Naturally, a long and tedious procedure has to be followed to reach the final end which is liberation. The Upanişads do not believe that liberation can be attained by the mechanical performance of rituals and religious rites. The Upanisads clearly and emphatically state that liberation can be attained only by the proper knowledge of the Self.' The Katha Upanişad compares the horses with the senses and says that one who keeps his senses and mind under his proper control, and knows the Atman properly, becomes free from the round of births and deaths.” In fact, according to the doctrine of Karma, an individual obtains a subsequent birth in accordance with one's Karma. An act becomes good or bad by the good or bad desire which the
i Katha Up. 1.2.24. 2 Ibid 1.3.
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