Jeevan Mukti

JEEVAN MUKTI

Jeevan Mukti has two meanings:

Mukti (liberation) from Jeevan (birth and re-birth, i.e. the cycle of life and death).

Mukti (liberation) while one is still in Jeevan (life), i.e. liberation during one’s life time.

In Sikhism, one can achieve Jeevan Mukti during one’s lifetime and not after death. Absorption in God’s Name, purgation of one’s ego, living truthful life, are preconditions to become a candidate for Jeevan Mukti (self-realization).

In spite of this, one can achieve Jeevan Mukti, however, only by Grace of God:

Those who contemplate upon (God’s) Name,

Do succeed in their endeavour,

Nanak says: Their faces are radiant (they are liberated),

And many more are liberated with them.

(Guru Granth Sahib, p.8)

Those who serve the true Guru, are great men of the world,

They get liberated and liberate their whole family.

(Guru Granth Sahib, p.161)

Without virtuous deeds none can be liberated.

The gift of liberation is by remembering Name.

(Guru Granth Sahib, p.201)

Laughing, playing, dressing, eating; the salvation is all through.

(Guru Granth Sahib, p.522)

The ‘liberated while living’ is one who earns the Word of Guru.

He ever lives merged in God.

(Guru Granth Sahib, p.1058)

One, who is absorbed in love with God, rejects even the so-called Mukti:

An enlightened person even gives up (even the thought of) liberation.

(Guru Granth Sahib, p. 1078)

(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)