Desire for moksa

[Guest guest]

Dear bhagavats,

 

I am submitting the following because we need to clear on the nature of

desires. This is relevant to the discussion we have been having about

pursuit of wealth.

 

Directly Quoting: Any mistakes are my typing errors.

 

Source: (Fundamentals of Vis'istAdvaita by Sri. S.M.S. Chari)

 

Karmas are classified into pravrtta and nirvrtta. pravrtta karma are those

which are performed for the attainment of some desired results either in

this world or higher realms. The nivrtta karma is that which is performed

without any desire for results but purely for the purpose of moksha. In

this context a question is raised whether the karmas which are

observed as auxiliaries to upAsanA for the purpose of moksa could be

strictly considered niskAma since they are done with desire (kAmanA)

for moksa.

 

Vedanta Des'ika points out that there is no room for the above objection if

we understand correctly the implication of words pravrtta and nivrtta.

The nivrrtta karmas are those which are helpful to overcome the fear of

being caught up in bondage. The pravrtta karmas are those whose

observance will lead one towards bondage and cause further bondage.

 

Moksa is the supreme goal of life, if one desires it, it does not become a

kAmanA, that is something to be achieved for selfish purposes.

Moksa-kAmanA is not KamanA as understood in the ordinary sense of

the term. It is a desire directed towards the removal of bondage and is to

be sought for as the ultimate goal of life.

 

End of Quoting!

 

The reason I wrote this: I often here people say nitya karmas are

commandments of God, but they fail to point out that these

commandments

are given out of compassion, by Brahman, the true well wisher, for the

mumuksu, who is desirous of moksha. Further, to point out the desire for

moksha is not like other desires!

 

A good question for discussion is:

 

what does moksha entail? Since this is what a mumuksu desires for.

 

We should be clear on what it is we are in pursuit of, or else the

conviction will not develop!