What is Moksha? A spiritual teacher explains the ultimate goal of human life

In a recent Instagram video, spiritual teacher shares that Moksha is the ultimate purpose of human life.
Many people spend their lives chasing success, recognition and comfort. Yet spiritual traditions across the world often point to a different kind of achievement, one that cannot be measured by money or status. In Indian philosophy, that state is known as Moksha.
In a recent Instagram video, spiritual teacher Bhavesh Bhimanathani shares that Moksha is the ultimate purpose of human life. He describes it as a journey of inner transformation that begins when a person learns to look within instead of constantly seeking fulfilment from the outside world.
For him, the path to Moksha is less about rituals and more about awareness, discipline and meditation.
Also Read Did you know Bhakti goes beyond religion? A spiritual centre shares its spiritual perspective
What is Moksha?
Bhimanathani explains that Moksha is a state where the individual soul is no longer limited by worldly attachments. It is often described as the union of the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness.
"Moksha is also known as the merging of the Jivatma (individual soul) with the Parmatma (Supreme God)," he says.
While different spiritual traditions describe this experience in their own way, the idea remains similar. It is about discovering a deeper sense of peace that is not controlled by external circumstances.
Rather than seeing Moksha as something distant, Bhimanathani encourages people to view it as a lifelong journey of self-discovery.
Why does the journey begin with your senses?
According to Bhimanathani, lasting inner peace begins with learning to manage the Indriyas, or the senses.
Every day, the mind reacts to what it sees, hears, tastes, smells and touches. These experiences shape emotions, desires and habits. When the senses constantly pull the mind in different directions, it becomes difficult to experience clarity.
"The purpose of human life is to attain Moksha, which can be achieved by controlling our Indriyas (senses)," he says.
He explains that controlling the senses does not mean rejecting everyday life. Instead, it means becoming aware of your thoughts before they control your actions. Practices such as meditation, mindfulness and self-reflection can help develop this awareness over time.
Also Read A spiritual seeker shares how spirituality can help you let go of the past
What can the symbols of Nandi and the Shiva Linga teach us?
Bhimanathani says ancient scriptures often use symbols to explain ideas that are difficult to express in words.
He explains that the Shiva Linga represents the Supreme Consciousness, while Nandi represents the individual soul seeking that higher state of awareness.
"In our scriptures, symbols hold deep significance. The Linga symbolizes the supreme God, while Nandi symbolizes the individual soul. Through constant meditation, the individual soul (Nandi) merges with the supreme God (Linga) to become Nandeeshwara," he says.
For Bhimanathani, the message behind this symbolism is simple. Just as Nandi remains focused, people are encouraged to stay steady in their spiritual practice. Over time, meditation and self-awareness can help reduce distractions and bring the mind closer to inner peace.
How can you begin your own spiritual journey?
Bhimanathani believes every spiritual journey starts with small daily choices. Spending a few quiet minutes in meditation, observing your thoughts without judging them and practising compassion towards yourself and others can gradually change the way you experience life.
He says Moksha is not about escaping the world. It is about living in it with greater awareness, balance and freedom from unnecessary attachments.
Whether you call it inner peace, higher consciousness or spiritual awakening, the message remains the same. The journey begins within. Every mindful choice, every moment of self-reflection and every step towards understanding yourself can bring you closer to the sense of fulfilment that many spiritual traditions describe as Moksha.
ABOUT THE AUTHORSoumi PyneSoumi Pyne is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with four years of work experience. She started her career as a digital journalist with HT after completing her master's in media and communication from NSHM Kolkata. She covers topics in astrology, manifesting, and tarot readings, and also interviews astrologers to share their stories. In 2022, she interviewed the young indigo pilot who had saved Indian students from Ukraine. She has also covered stories about the Dhoomimal Art Gallery and a few lifestyle stories. She is now a fervent reader of astrology, but before working full-time on the Astrology beat, she coordinated and published think tank stories in the HT insight section. Additionally, produced Live Mint and HT newsletters, during which she had the scope to publish news articles by HT's editor-in-chief, Sukumar Ranganathan. She puts in her best effort to make her readers justify the statement "Astrology is a pseudoscience". While she believes that Astrology is not intertwined with Science, she aims to help her readers understand that the human body can be influenced by planetary alignments, drawing on insights from Indian and USA astrologers. Outside her professional sphere, she enjoys a healthy lifestyle through yoga, journaling, meditation, running, and cooking gluten-free meals. She is an avid documentary enthusiast who loves watching BBC, Discovery, and other channels, with a focus on ancient history, space, art, and culture. Also, you'll often find her taking her pooch to new cafes and often taking short trips with her girls or her family to offbeat places.Read More

E-Paper


