Lesson - 28
Mumukshutva
Mumukshutva means desire for Moksha - this is etymological derivation. In the Vedantic parlance it means intense longing for liberation. What is meant by intense desire?
A house catches fire while a family is sleeping in it. A husband who wakes up first tries to get his wife and children along with his valuables out of the house. When he realizes that it is not possible to save all the three, he leaves aside the valuables and tries to rescue his wife and children. When even that seems impossible he tries to get out alone. At that moment nothing other than his own safety will be in his mind, and his only aim will be to save him self. This is an example of intensity of desire. Similarly when the vicissitudes of Samsara become intolerable. Man discards all his wishes and will develop an intense urge to become one with the almighty. Such intense longing to achieve one-ness with the almighty is called Mumukshutva.
It has been mentioned above that for Mumukshutva to set in one has to rid one's self of all desires. Vedanta describes the types of desires (Eshanas) namely Daareshana, Putreshana and Dhaneshana. These are collectively called as Eshana Traya.
Dareshana means desire for a spouse. It symbolizes the desire generated from all Indriyas. Putreshana means aspiring for progeny. It symbolizes attachment for friends and relatives. Dhaneshana means aspiring for wealth. It symbolizes aspiring for all sorts of wealth, power and fame.
Mumukshutva is nothing but transcending the three Eshanas and intensely longing for release from worldly bondage. It must be remembered that only those who have such intense feeling are eligible to acquire Atma Vidya - Self-Knowledge. By achieving Shamadamaadi Shakta Sampatti (a treasure of six virtues), the longing for liberation intensifies and reaches the stage of fruition.
Starting from the 25th lesson, up till now to the four steps that have to be climbed in order to become eligible to learn Atmavidya were discussed. The mutual relation between these four stages was also discussed. Let us recollect them for the sake of clarity.
The first step is Nityaanitya Vastu Viveka - This can be achieved by any learned person with the help of scriptures. But it does not necessarily bring about Vairagya. Therefore in addition to Nityaanitya Vastu Viveka, the second step namely Ihaamutra Phala Bhoga Viraga has been devised. Although those who have done some Sadhana by Tapas will be able to climb these two steps with relative ease, they may not be ale to eschew, anger and violence. We come across instances where Maharshis have displayed outburst of anger in the Puranas. It is to help the seeker to get over such violent tendencies that the third step - Shamadamaadi Shatka Sampatti has been devised. Those who have climbed these three steps are almost eligible to acquire Atmavidya. However, it must be remembered that even those who have climbed these three steps will sometimes become so mush immersed in Bhakti that they will distance themselves from the absolute truth. Therefore the fourth step namely Mumukshutva had to be devised.
GURU SARANAGATHI (SURRENDERING TO GURU):
Even a seeker who has gained mastery over these four steps may find that all his scholarships, all his experience, all his austerities and all his devotion may not help him to know the truth. Then he will have to take refuge him a Sadguru, who is already established in Brahman.
Here taking refuge means beseeching the Guru for help with unflinching
faith. It must be borne in mind that a seeker who firmly believe that the
Guru is none other than the Almighty. Only then the seeker will be able
to 'See' the path of self-inquiry and eventually reach his goal. The name
given to this goal is Mukti.