Q. In Hinduism, what do your scriptures say about salvation?
R. We have three responses:
Vijay Harani of the Hindu Academy:
The appropriate word for Salvation in Hinduism is "Moksha" it is derived from the words 'Moha' (delusion) and 'Kshya' (destruction) meaning 'Destruction of Delusion'.
Whereas Salvation implies the act of saving, Moksha means Freedom / Liberation
It can be understood as
· Being one with GOD.
· Having NO MORE DESIRES.
· It is when one REALISES THEIR TRUE SELF – ‘Atman Gnan’ i.e. the Knowledge of one’s self.
Once this is achieved one experiences a sense of ultimate freedom.
Freedom from what ??
Freedom from "Samsara", the cycle of rebirth (i.e Reincarnation), Samsara literally means stream of existence.
How does one break from the cycle for rebirth and achieve Moksha? By following the 4 pathways ('Margs')
There are 4 pathways to achieve to Moksha are
1) “Jnana marg” - Path of knowledge
2) “Karma marg” - Path of action
3) “Bhakti marg” - Path of devotion
4) “Raja Yoga marg” - Path of Yoga
Most people will use a combination of these pathways, however depending on the individuals temperament and aptitude, one may favour a certain pathway more than others.
Jnana -through sharp intellect, discrimination (vivek) of what is fact (ultimately real) and what is fancy (not real) and dispassion (vairagya). Focus on search for Truth (not relative truth but absolute truth). This pathway appeals to intellectuals
Karma - through action - selfless action, ego less action. Best way. Offer fruits of your action to God. Focus on Renunciation.This pathway appeals to like to serve selflessly
Bhakti - Through love and devotion - build a relationship with God in the form of your choice. Spend time in prayers, adoration and worship. Para bhakti -best as its asks nothing from God. This is the easiest pathway. This pathway appeals to those who are emotional by nature
Yoga: To be joined together (like yoke in English) - union with God. Real name is Raja yoga - royal path - eight steps using meditation to be one with God. Develop one pointed concentration called Dhyana ending in Samadhi - God realisation or to be one with God. This pathway appeals to those who are contemplative by nature.
Dr Chintamani Yogi, Hindu Vidya Peeth-Nepal:
In Hindu philosophy Salvation is called Mukti, Moksha, Apavarga etc. According to Hindus the soul never dies, it just changes its form. So there is a process of rebirth, which goes in 84 Lakhs circle; birth and death are complementing each other; one has to go through all forms of life (animal, plant, birds etc) 84 Lakhs times.
Punar-janma (rebirth) is based on karma (the principal of Karmavad). It means one will get another yoni/ form of life according to his/her karma; if s/he has done good karma/actions then s/he will get good form of life in next birth; if not then s/he will get a bad kind of yoni (form) in next life; so one has to do always good karma because each action has its equal and opposite reaction. So one has to pay for good/bad actions.
But again it is said that every birth is the cause of Dukh (suffering); you are born to go again through many sufferings... so how to get rid of that? The only way is by Mukti; it means being dissolved in Purna Paramatma; soul is merged into higher Soul or Self; or Jeeva (lower Self) is merged into Shiva (higher Self); or our soul is surrendered into lotus feet of God. Suppose the drop of water is mixed into ocean; suppose the lamp is dissolved into sun; suppose the Ghatakash is mixed into Mahakash; it's the stage for Mukti; so then there is no more Punar-janma (rebirth); the cycles are broken... spirit is completely free. Then no janma, no pain, no karma-Bhoga; complete Mukti/salvation/moksha. It is called Sat-chit-ananda; it's the highest purpose which every seeker should expect in life; it's the only sadhana which every practitioner should try to achieve in life.
Mukti is the only state which all sages, saints, incarnations, even gods, want to have in life; so all our holy scriptures are focused on Moksha/Mukti.
Chinta Kallie, Oxford Council of Faiths:
Salvation is Moksha in Hinduism !!
Salvation for a Hindu is called Moksha. Moksha is when an enlightened human being is freed from the cycle of life-and-death (the endless cycle of death and reincarnation) and the Atman (the Soul) achieves oneness with the Param Atman (the Supreme Soul).
There are four ways to Moksha:
1. The Way of Action: This involves carrying out certain religious ceremonies, duties and rites. The objective is to perform works without regard for personal gain.
2. The Way of Knowledge: This requires using your mind and philosophy to come to a complete comprehension of the universe as created by Param Atma (the Supreme Soul).
3. The Way of Devotion: Salvation is reached through acts of worship, based upon true devotion to God.
4.The Royal Road: The use of meditation and yoga techniques. This method of reaching salvation is typically only used by wandering monks.
Each of these ways to salvation in Hinduism requires that a person do certain things. Salvation is through what a Hindu does.
Vijay Harani of the Hindu Academy:
The appropriate word for Salvation in Hinduism is "Moksha" it is derived from the words 'Moha' (delusion) and 'Kshya' (destruction) meaning 'Destruction of Delusion'.
Whereas Salvation implies the act of saving, Moksha means Freedom / Liberation
It can be understood as
· Being one with GOD.
· Having NO MORE DESIRES.
· It is when one REALISES THEIR TRUE SELF – ‘Atman Gnan’ i.e. the Knowledge of one’s self.
Once this is achieved one experiences a sense of ultimate freedom.
Freedom from what ??
Freedom from "Samsara", the cycle of rebirth (i.e Reincarnation), Samsara literally means stream of existence.
How does one break from the cycle for rebirth and achieve Moksha? By following the 4 pathways ('Margs')
There are 4 pathways to achieve to Moksha are
1) “Jnana marg” - Path of knowledge
2) “Karma marg” - Path of action
3) “Bhakti marg” - Path of devotion
4) “Raja Yoga marg” - Path of Yoga
Most people will use a combination of these pathways, however depending on the individuals temperament and aptitude, one may favour a certain pathway more than others.
Jnana -through sharp intellect, discrimination (vivek) of what is fact (ultimately real) and what is fancy (not real) and dispassion (vairagya). Focus on search for Truth (not relative truth but absolute truth). This pathway appeals to intellectuals
Karma - through action - selfless action, ego less action. Best way. Offer fruits of your action to God. Focus on Renunciation.This pathway appeals to like to serve selflessly
Bhakti - Through love and devotion - build a relationship with God in the form of your choice. Spend time in prayers, adoration and worship. Para bhakti -best as its asks nothing from God. This is the easiest pathway. This pathway appeals to those who are emotional by nature
Yoga: To be joined together (like yoke in English) - union with God. Real name is Raja yoga - royal path - eight steps using meditation to be one with God. Develop one pointed concentration called Dhyana ending in Samadhi - God realisation or to be one with God. This pathway appeals to those who are contemplative by nature.
Dr Chintamani Yogi, Hindu Vidya Peeth-Nepal:
In Hindu philosophy Salvation is called Mukti, Moksha, Apavarga etc. According to Hindus the soul never dies, it just changes its form. So there is a process of rebirth, which goes in 84 Lakhs circle; birth and death are complementing each other; one has to go through all forms of life (animal, plant, birds etc) 84 Lakhs times.
Punar-janma (rebirth) is based on karma (the principal of Karmavad). It means one will get another yoni/ form of life according to his/her karma; if s/he has done good karma/actions then s/he will get good form of life in next birth; if not then s/he will get a bad kind of yoni (form) in next life; so one has to do always good karma because each action has its equal and opposite reaction. So one has to pay for good/bad actions.
But again it is said that every birth is the cause of Dukh (suffering); you are born to go again through many sufferings... so how to get rid of that? The only way is by Mukti; it means being dissolved in Purna Paramatma; soul is merged into higher Soul or Self; or Jeeva (lower Self) is merged into Shiva (higher Self); or our soul is surrendered into lotus feet of God. Suppose the drop of water is mixed into ocean; suppose the lamp is dissolved into sun; suppose the Ghatakash is mixed into Mahakash; it's the stage for Mukti; so then there is no more Punar-janma (rebirth); the cycles are broken... spirit is completely free. Then no janma, no pain, no karma-Bhoga; complete Mukti/salvation/moksha. It is called Sat-chit-ananda; it's the highest purpose which every seeker should expect in life; it's the only sadhana which every practitioner should try to achieve in life.
Mukti is the only state which all sages, saints, incarnations, even gods, want to have in life; so all our holy scriptures are focused on Moksha/Mukti.
Chinta Kallie, Oxford Council of Faiths:
Salvation is Moksha in Hinduism !!
Salvation for a Hindu is called Moksha. Moksha is when an enlightened human being is freed from the cycle of life-and-death (the endless cycle of death and reincarnation) and the Atman (the Soul) achieves oneness with the Param Atman (the Supreme Soul).
There are four ways to Moksha:
1. The Way of Action: This involves carrying out certain religious ceremonies, duties and rites. The objective is to perform works without regard for personal gain.
2. The Way of Knowledge: This requires using your mind and philosophy to come to a complete comprehension of the universe as created by Param Atma (the Supreme Soul).
3. The Way of Devotion: Salvation is reached through acts of worship, based upon true devotion to God.
4.The Royal Road: The use of meditation and yoga techniques. This method of reaching salvation is typically only used by wandering monks.
Each of these ways to salvation in Hinduism requires that a person do certain things. Salvation is through what a Hindu does.
