Editing Moksha (section)

==== Advaita Vedanta ====
The Vedantic school of Hinduism suggests the first step towards mokṣa begins with ''mumuksutva'', that is desire of liberation.<ref name=klausklost/> This takes the form of questions about self, what is true, why do things or events make us happy or cause suffering, and so on. This longing for liberating knowledge is assisted by, claims [[Adi Shankara]] of Advaita Vedanta,<ref>Shankara, Sarva vedanta siddhantasara 230–239</ref> a [[guru]] (teacher), study of historical knowledge and [[viveka]] (critical thinking). This is because a guru can help one develop knowledge of maya (the illusionary nature of the world), a critical step on the path to moksha.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mishra |first=R.C |title=Moksha and the Hindu Worldview |publisher=New Delhi, India: SAGE Publications |year=2013 |pages=27 |language=English}}</ref> Shankara cautions that the guru and historic knowledge may be distorted, so traditions and historical assumptions must be questioned by the individual seeking ''moksha''. Those who are on their path to ''moksha'' (samnyasin), suggests [[Klaus Klostermaier]], are quintessentially free individuals, without craving for anything in the worldly life, thus are neither dominated by, nor dominating anyone else.<ref name=klausklost/>

[[Vivekachudamani]], which literally means "Crown Jewel of Discriminatory Reasoning", is a book devoted to moksa in Advaita Vedanta philosophy. It explains what behaviors and pursuits lead to ''moksha'', as well what actions and assumptions hinder ''moksha''. The four essential conditions, according to Vivekachudamani, before one can commence on the path of ''moksha'' include (1) ''vivekah'' (discrimination, critical reasoning) between everlasting principles and fleeting world; (2) ''viragah'' (indifference, lack of craving) for material rewards; (3) ''samah'' (calmness of mind), and (4) ''damah'' (self restraint, [[Temperance (virtue)|temperance]]).<ref>D. Datta  (1888), Moksha, or the Vedántic Release, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, New Series, Vol. 20, No. 4 (Oct., 1888), pp. 516</ref> The ''Brahmasutrabhasya'' adds to the above four requirements, the following: ''uparati'' (lack of bias, dispassion), ''titiksa'' (endurance, patience), ''sraddha'' (faith) and ''[[samadhana]]'' (intentness, commitment).<ref name=edav/>

The [[Advaita Vedanta|Advaita]] tradition considers ''moksha'' achievable by removing [[Avidya (Hinduism)|avidya]] (ignorance) by knowledge. ''Moksha'' is seen as a final release from illusion, and through knowledge (''anubhava'') of one's own fundamental nature, which is [[Satcitananda]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Brodd | first = Jeffrey | title = World Religions | publisher = Saint Mary's Press | year = 2003 | location = Winona, MN | isbn = 978-0-88489-725-5 }}</ref>{{refn|group=note|The description comprises the three [[Sanskrit]] words ''sat-chit-ananda'':
* ''[[Sat (Sanskrit)|sat]]'' सत् ([[wikt:present participle|present participle]]); [Sanskrit root ''as'', "''to be''"]:{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}} "Truth", "Absolute Being",<ref name="Maharishi">[http://www.bienfaits-meditation.com/en/maharishi/videos/sat-cit-ananda Maharishi's Teaching, ''Meaning of the word "Satcitananda" (Sat Chit Ananda)'']</ref> ''Sat'' describes an essence that is pure and timeless, that never changes.<ref name="Maharishi" />
* ''[[Cit (consciousness)|cit]]''  चित् ([[noun]]): "consciousness",<ref name="Maharishi" /> "true consciousness",<ref>{{cite web |title=Sat-Cit-Ananda Eternity Knowledged and Bliss, Kala Material Time, Form |url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/satcitananda-eternity#:~:text=Saccid%C4%81nanda%2C%20Satchidananda%2C%20or%20Sat%2D,%2C%20consciousness%2C%20and%20bliss%20respectively.&text=The%20Supreme%20Personality%20ofGodhead%20is%20sac%2Dcid%2Dananda%2Dvigraha. |website=ISKCON Desire Tree {{!}} IDT |access-date=3 November 2020 |date=8 March 2010}}</ref> "to be consciousness of",<ref name="SDchit">{{Cite web |url=http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=+chit&trans=Translate&direction=AU |title=Sanskrit Dictionary, ''chit'' |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510035740/http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=+chit&trans=Translate&direction=AU |archive-date=10 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> "to understand",<ref name="SDchit" /> "to comprehend".<ref name="SDchit" />
* ''ānanda'' आनन्द (noun): "bliss",<ref name="Maharishi" /> "true bliss",{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}}  "happiness",<ref name="SDananda" />  "joy",<ref name="SDananda" /> "delight",<ref name="SDananda" />  "pleasure"<ref name="SDananda">{{Cite web |url=http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=+ananda&trans=Translate&direction=AU |title=Sanskrit dictionary for Spoken Sanskrit, ''ananda'' |access-date=20 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701064641/http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=+ananda&trans=Translate&direction=AU |archive-date=1 July 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>}} Advaita holds there is no being/non-being distinction between ''Atman'', ''[[Brahman]]'', and ''[[Paramatman]]''. True knowledge is a direct, permanent realization that the Atman and  Brahman are one. This realization instantly removes ignorance and leads to ''moksha'', and is considered timeless, eliminating the cycle of birth and death (''samsara'').<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=Chandradhar |url=http://archive.org/details/indianphilosophyacriticalsurveychandradharsharmaseeadvaitastudies_202003_756_t |title=Indian Philosophy A Critical Survey |pages=274–275}}</ref> Advaita Vedanta emphasizes [[Jnana Yoga]] as the means of achieving ''moksha''.<ref name=edav/> Bliss, claims this school, is the fruit of knowledge (vidya) and work (karma).<ref>Karl Potter (2008), The Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies: Advaita Vedānta Up to Śaṃkara and His Pupils, Volume 3, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, pp 213</ref>