Moksha

Portrait of a sadhu (Varanasi, India).

The sadhu gazing toward the sky, with birds soaring behind him, symbolizes the concept of moksha, the ultimate liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth (samsara). In Hindu belief, moksha is the highest spiritual goal, representing the soul's release from worldly suffering and union with the divine.
According to Hindu tradition, achieving moksha is extremely rare and often requires a lifetime, or many lifetimes of spiritual discipline, self-realization, and detachment from material desires. However, certain sacred places are believed to offer a direct path to liberation, and Varanasi is considered one of the most powerful among them. Dying or being cremated in Varanasi is thought to break the cycle of rebirth, granting the soul immediate passage to moksha.
In the background of the image is Manikarnika Ghat, one of the oldest and most revered cremation grounds in Hinduism. It is believed that the fire at Manikarnika has been burning continuously for centuries, and many devout Hindus journey here at the end of their lives, hoping to attain final liberation on this sacred ground.

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