MOKSHYA

 Mokshya literally means liberation or freedom from life cycle. In Hindu religious system, there are four free ways to reach liberation namely, Dharma or the right action, Artha or the economic activities, karma or the responsibilities or duties and Mokshya or freedom from every thing including life cycles. Unlike the notion that Hindu way of life is very pessimistic and devoid of much room for one’s liberty, all individuals are considered free enough to choose his own ways to attain the final goal of life i.e., MOKSHYA. Hindu religious culture actually teaches or allows one and all to enjoy every thing worth doing so and then to start staying away from that eventually. The message is not to keep repeating the same enjoyments over and over again. Thus, the Hindu approach to liberation is very materialistic in the beginning. The Hindu philosophy believes that the spiritual aspect of Hindu religion can be better understood through experimentations with materialistic aspects of the world. In other words, detachment or Mukti has to come through attachment or Anurakti.

Strong feeling for sacrifice is accepted as the most effective means to reach the higher stage of Mokshya. There are many kinds of sacrifices for that purpose. To give away foods and clothes to the poor and needy in charity is also a kind of sacrifice. Fasting for meritorious purpose, devoting oneself to the noble cause of social welfare and offering rice, flowers and fruits to the  deities are all different forms of sacrifice and have their own values. However, the animal sacrifice seems to have been the most popular form of sacrifice. It is interesting to note that  Hindus never sacrifice female animals. Animals sacrificed are water buffaloes, goats, chicken, ducks and sheep each symbolizing anger, lust, timidity, apathy and stupidity respectively. One can reach the perfect stage of self realization only when one has full control over all kinds of human vices and demerits. This concept is used for justification of animal sacrifices offered to gods and goddesses.