Moksha. Jivanmukta

 Perfect — let’s break this down clearly.

Moksha (मोक्ष)

• Meaning: Liberation, release, freedom from saṃsāra (the cycle of birth and death).
• Nature: Realization of one’s true Self (Ātman) as non-different from Brahman (the absolute).
• Goal: Freedom from ignorance (avidyā), suffering, and bondage.

Types of Mukti (Liberation) in Advaita Vedānta

1. Jīvanmukti (जीवन्मुक्ति) – Liberation while living

• Definition: The state of enlightenment attained while still alive in the body.
• Characteristics of a Jīvanmukta (liberated person):
  
• Has realized Aham Brahmāsmi (“I am Brahman”).
• Free from attachment, ego, and bondage of karma.
• Still experiences the body and world (due to prārabdha karma — the portion of karma already bearing fruit).
• Internally free, untouched by pleasure or pain.
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• Example: A sage who walks, eats, talks, but inwardly abides in pure awareness.

2. Videhamukti (विदेहमुक्ति) – Liberation after death

• Definition: Final release attained at the death of the body of a Jīvanmukta.
• Process:
  
• When the body falls, no new karma is created (since ignorance has been destroyed).
• The prārabdha karma sustaining the body ends.
• The Self remains as Brahman, without embodiment or rebirth.
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• Called also: Paramukti (supreme liberation).

In Summary

• Moksha = the ultimate goal → freedom from rebirth and suffering, realization of oneness with Brahman.
• Jīvanmukti = being liberated while still living in the body.
• Videhamukti = final disembodiment liberation when the Jīvanmukta’s body falls.

✨ A traditional metaphor:

• Jīvanmukti is like a potter’s wheel still spinning after the potter has stopped pushing it (life continues due to past karma).
• Videhamukti is when the wheel finally comes to a stop (no rebirth).

Do you want me to also show you how Advaita Vedānta’s concept of Jīvanmukti compares with Buddhism’s Nirvana?