Tman And Moksa

The book "Atman and Moksa" by Dr. G. N. Joshi, published by Gujarat University in 1965, is a doctoral thesis that explores the evolution of the concepts of Atman (Self) and Moksa (Liberation) across various Indian philosophical systems. The author traces these concepts from Vedic times through the 19th century, including the spiritual experiences of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

The book argues that modern man, despite material progress, lacks spiritual satisfaction and peace. It criticizes modern psychology for reducing the "Self" to material or observable functions, thus denying its spiritual nature. The author suggests that understanding the ancient Indian philosophical concepts of Atman and Moksa is crucial for addressing the contemporary spiritual crisis.

The thesis systematically examines the evolution of these concepts in the following Indian philosophical schools:

• The Vedas: Discusses the early philosophical aspects, various meanings of Atman, concepts like Rta and Hiranyagarbha, and the Vedic ideas of heaven and immortality.
• The Upanisads: Analyzes the heterogeneous and often contradictory views on Atman, its identification with Brahman, and the concept of Moksa as immortality and freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
• Cārvākism: Presents the materialistic denial of Atman and Moksa, viewing the self as the physical body and the highest happiness as bodily pleasure.
• Buddhism: Explores the doctrine of Anātmavāda (non-self), universal impermanence, and the concept of Nirvana as the cessation of sorrow and desire. It differentiates between Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism's interpretations of Nirvana.
• Jainism: Details the nature of the soul as an agent and enjoyer, the plurality of souls, the concept of karma-matter, and liberation through knowledge and purification, not just karma.
• Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika: Examines their realistic pluralism, the soul as a substance with consciousness as an adventitious attribute, and Moksa as a state of passivity and painlessness achieved through knowledge.
• Sāṁkhya: Discusses its dualism of Puruṣa (Spirit) and Prakṛti (Matter), Puruṣa as pure consciousness and a passive witness, and Moksa (Kaivalya) as isolation from Prakṛti through discrimination.
• Yoga: Presents it as a theistic extension of Samkhya, focusing on physical and mental discipline to cease mind functions and achieve union with God.
• Pūrva-Mīmāṁsā: Covers its orthodox, atheistic, and ritualistic nature, viewing the soul as an immaterial, pervasive agent, and Moksa as freedom from pleasure, pain, and conscious experience, achieved through Vedic rites.
• Vedānta (Sāṁkara): Explores the Advaita (non-dual) concept of Brahman as the sole reality, the identity of Atman and Brahman, the illusoriness of the world due to Maya, and Moksa as the realization of this identity through knowledge.
• Vedānta (Rāmānuja, Nimbārka, Madhva, Vallabha): Details the qualified non-dualism (Viśiṣṭādvaita), dualism (Dvaita), and pure non-dualism (Śuddhādvaita) views on Brahman, the soul, and their relationship, and the paths to Moksa, often emphasizing devotion (bhakti).
• Śaivism and Śāktism: Briefly touches upon the concepts of Shiva and Shakti as ultimate realities and the paths to liberation through devotion and yoga.
• The Vaiṣṇava Saints of Medieval India: Covers the philosophical and devotional contributions of figures like Jñāneśvara, Kabir, Tulasidasa, Suradāsa, Mirabai, Narasimha Mehta, Caitanya, and Tukarama, highlighting their paths to spiritual realization and union with God.
• Ramakrishna Paramahamsa: Discusses his spiritual experiences and the concept of realizing God through identification and surrender.
• Conclusion: Synthesizes the discussions by comparing the concepts of Atman and Moksa across different systems and briefly contrasts them with Western philosophers and Abrahamic religions. It outlines the lines of evolution of Atman from material to spiritual, pluralism to monism, finite to infinite, and external to internal, and the evolution of Moksa from negative to positive, changes in means of attainment, and accessibility to all.

The book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the philosophical journey of these fundamental concepts in Indian thought, emphasizing the underlying search for true happiness, peace, and spiritual fulfillment.