Moksha

“Liberation”. The ultimate goal of all Indian spiritual traditions: liberation from the cycle of birth and death (saṃsāra).

Also called:

• Mukti: Liberation
• Kaivalya: Isolation (in Sāṅkhya/Yoga)
• Nirvāṇa: Extinction (in Buddhism)
• Apavarga: Cessation of pain

Liberation from what?

• The cycle of rebirths (saṃsāra)
• Mistaken identification with the body-mind
• Suffering (duḥkha)
• Ignorance (avidyā)

Liberation toward what?

• Recognition of one’s true nature (ātman/Brahman)
• Permanent peace (śānti)
• Bliss (ānanda)

Haṭha yoga affirms that the union of kuṇḍalinī with Śiva in sahasrāra produces mokṣa in life (jīvanmukti).