Chapter 2 - Hinduism - Goal of Hindu Religion - Enlightenment V.Srinivasan

In this chapter on Hinduism, the goal of Hindu religion is covered, which is Mukti, or enlightenment.  Its true meaning, why it is difficult to attain Mukti, how to attain Mukti, and what happens when we attain Mukti  are some of the areas addressed.  The Goal of the Hindu Religion is to attain Mukthi •Mukthi means eternal peace of mind (Sath-chith-Ananda). Mukthi can be achieved only when one is able to get rid of fear, greed or any trace of attachment to wordly things. •If the mind has to be eternally peaceful, gradually it has to be peaceful at every point of time. •This cannot be achieved easily. •This is a very slow process which has to be achieved over a period by continuous training and practice. •The Hindu Philosophy prescribes various ways by which peacefulness of mind can be achieved, which over a long period can be improved to eternal peace of mind (without fear, greed , or any trace of attachment to worldly things), which is Mukthi. •Even if the desire for materiaistic things such as wealth etc are subdued, desires for finer and stronger desires like fame, name, status, honour etc prove very hard nuts to crack. They remain hidden in the subconscious depths of mind. This makes the task of attaining Mukthi almost impossible. •When Mukthi is attained the soul is liberated from samsara (birth and death cycles of this world).