| But according to
the Vedanta school and this can be regarded as the final verdict of the Indian mind-the
ideal is positive, namely supreme, un-alloyed, eternal bliss free from all sorrow and from
the possibility of the soul ever entering samsara or the cycle of births and deaths. These
differences of opinion among the various schools of Indian thinkers, as regards moksha,
have been clearly explained in the works of Madhusudana Sarasvati, namely, the Vedanta
Kalpalatika and his commentary on Sankshepa Sariraka. All Indian thinkers are, however, agreed that the highest aspiration of the
human soul should be to attain moksha, that human life should be one continuous
preparation for it and that the longing for mukti should permeate man's whole being.
Ideal of Moksha: peculiar to Hindu Ethics
This acceptance by all schools of Indian thought of moksha as the supreme goal of human
aspiration and as the lodestar of all human effort has given a unique direction to Hindu
Ethics. It has led the aspirants to insist upon a life of unselfish, disinterested service
and duty, and of annihilation
of the ego, in short, to emphasize karma yoga, or nishkama karma. Otherwise, ordinary
human action with palabhisandhi and with ego-consciousness will give rise to bondage of
the soul, and moksha
will recede beyond reach. |
