Moksha (Liberation)

 

"When religion, economic development and sense gratification are adjusted, liberation from this material birth, death, old age and disease is assured." (Srimad Bhagavatam 4.22.36 Bhaktivedanta Purport).

The five different stages of liberation are (1) to become one with the Lord, (2) to live on the same planet as the Lord, (3) to obtain the same bodily features as the Lord, (4) to have the same opulences as the Lord, and (5) to have constant association with the Lord. Out of these five liberated stages, the one that is known as sayujya, or to merge into the existence of the Lord, holds no attraction for devotees.This position is sought after by impersonalists, who after some time there inevitably return to the material world.

"O lotus-eyed Lord, although non-devotees who accept severe austerities and penances to achieve the highest position may think themselves liberated, their intelligence is impure. They fall down from their position of imagined superiority because they have no regard for your lotus feet." (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.32)

The other four stages of liberation are not against devotional ideals. Any type of liberation is automatically available for pure devotees of the Lord.

"One who knows the transcendental nature of my appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains my eternal abode, O Arjuna." (Bhagavad-gita 4.9)

Those who are absorbed in serving Krishna are considered to be already liberated and therefore they do not aspire for any of the five stages of liberation. In the atmarama verse (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.7.10), it is stated that even those who are completely liberated from material contamination are attracted by the transcendental qualities of Lord Krishna. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has taught that the highest goal of life is love for Krishna. For those who are engaged in pure devotional service, every type of liberation is included as a by-product.

Some grihasthas follow dharma, artha, kama for the purpose of attaining moksha; whereas others, who are aspiring for pure devotional service, follow the same dharma, artha, kama without attachment, as a service to the Lord. They also attain moksha by returning back home, back to Godhead, after giving up the present material body, and becoming reinstated in their eternal service to Lord Shri Krishna in His transcendental kingdom.