What does it Mean to be Spiritually Enlightened and What Happens When Someone Reaches Enlightenment?

The journey toward enlightenment or Moksha is a profound quest that transcendentalists across various philosophical and religious traditions have long explored. In Advaita Vedanta, a prominent branch of Hindu philosophy, Moksha represents the ultimate freedom from the endless cycle of birth and death, a cycle known as Samsara. This article delves into the concept of Moksha, elaborating on its significance and the transformative experiences one undergoes on the path to enlightenment, drawing upon ancient wisdom from the Mahabharata and the Bhagavata Purana.

Moksha and Advaita Vedanta

Moksha is a state where the individual achieves freedom from the bonds of Samsara, a philosophy that emphasizes the eternal non-duality of Atman (the self) and Brahman (the ultimate reality).

The process to achieve Moksha begins with understanding the subtle nature of existence through philosophical inquiry and spiritual practice. The Mundaka Upanishad provides a profound insight into the journey towards enlightenment:

bhidyate hrdaya-granthis chidyante sarva-samsayah
ksiyante caasya karmany tasmin drste paravare.

The knot of the heart is cut, all doubts are dispelled, and his deeds terminate when he is seen—the higher and the lower.

This verse highlights the profound transformation experienced when one comprehends the true essence of existence. The heart knot refers to the attachment to worldly desires, which are the primary causes of suffering, while the termination of one's actions signifies the cessation of the cycle of rebirth.

Paths to Moksha

The Mahabharata, a voluminous Sanskrit epic, provides several pathways to achieving Moksha. Yudhisthira, in Santi Parva, Section CCCVII, elaborates on these paths:

There are two well-known paths for us viz the path of the Pitris and the path of the gods. They that perform sacrifices go by the pitri-path while they that are for salvation go by the god-path. By penances, by Brahmacharya, by study of the Vedas, the great Rishis casting off their bodies proceed to regions that are above the power of death.

The Pitri-path is associated with rites of passage (sacrifices), while the god-path is more closely aligned with liberation (moksha). These practices are aimed at transcending the material world to reach a state where one is free from the cycles of birth and death, aspiring to achieve a higher spiritual state where the self becomes one with the absolute.

Perfect Yoga and the Journey to Enlightenment

The attainment of Moksha is closely linked with Perfect Yoga. Perfect Yoga is the state of perfect integration with the Self and the divine.

When men of knowledge, conversant with the rules of Yoga become as fixed as a stake of wood and as immovable as a mountain, then are they said to be in Yoga. When one does not hear and smell, and taste, and see, when one is not conscious of any touch, when one’s mind becomes perfectly free from every purpose, when one is not conscious of anything, when one cherishes no thought, when one becomes like a piece of wood, then is one called by the wise to be in perfect Yoga.

This profound description outlines the sensations and mental states one experiences during Perfect Yoga, where all sensory perceptions dissolve, leaving one in a state of profound detachment. Only through this state can one truly witness the unchanging nature of the Self and the divine.

The Supreme State of Existence

The ultimate goal of this path is to transcend the boundaries of individual existence and merge with the ultimate reality, Brahman. In the Mahabharata, Santi Parva, Section XVII, Yudhisthira describes this state:

When one seeth creatures of infinite diversity to be all one and the same to be but diversified emanations from the same essence one is then said to have attained Brahma.

When one attains this state of understanding, one no longer sees distinctions, realizing the oneness of existence. This oneness is not just a philosophical concept but a profound realization that penetrates the very fabric of one's being, leading to a state of perfect enlightenment or Moksha.

Moksha According to Theistic Vedanta Schools

Theistic Vedanta schools, such as the Vaishnavite tradition, offer a slightly different view on Moksha. They believe in the concept of Salokya, Sarupya, Samipya, Sarshti, and Sayujya. Here's a deeper look at these forms of Moksha:

Salokya: Living in My sphere (Sri Krishna, Bhagavad Gita)
Sarupya: Having a form similar to Mine (Sri Krishna, Bhagavad Gita)
Samipya: Living close to Me (Sri Krishna, Bhagavad Gita)
Sarshti: Having My powers (Sri Krishna, Bhagavad Gita)
Sayujya: Being one with Me (Sri Krishna, Bhagavad Gita)

The Bhagavata Purana offers an insight into the state of Moksha through these different forms:

Sayujya is the ultimate state of attunement with the Divine, where the individual self becomes one with the Supreme Reality.

Conclusion: Embracing Enlightenment

The path to Moksha is not just about achieving a theory or a philosophical concept but is a profound experiential journey. Through rigorous spiritual practices, philosophical inquiry, and non-dualistic understanding, one can transcend the limitations of the ego, worldliness, and the material world to achieve a state of perfect enlightenment. This state is characterized by the dissolution of individual identity, the recognition of the oneness of all existence, and union with the supreme, ultimate reality.

Through this journey, one not only acquires wisdom and understanding but also experiences a profound transformation in one's existence, leading to a life of peace, joy, and freedom from the chains of desire and suffering.