मोक्ष
mokṣa/mɐu̯k.ʂɐ/masculine
The Sanskrit word for liberation is मोक्ष (mokṣa), a masculine noun. If unsure, use मोक्ष. Wiktionary also lists मुक्ति (mukti).
Meaning: act of liberating or the state of being liberated (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| मोक्ष | mokṣa | /mɐu̯k.ʂɐ/ (Vedic) /moːk.ʂɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
| मुक्ति | mukti | /muk.ti/ (Vedic) /muk.t̪i/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
feminine |
मोक्ष is the term for final spiritual liberation from the cycle of rebirth, especially in philosophical writing.
Which one should you use?
Both words mean liberation. मोक्ष usually refers to the final spiritual release from the cycle of rebirth, while मुक्ति (mukti) often has a more general sense of release or freedom.
How does it change in a sentence?
मोक्ष is masculine and मुक्ति is feminine. In the nominative singular both take the ending -ḥ, giving मोक्षः (mokṣaḥ) and मुक्तिः (muktiḥ).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is mokṣa and the IPA is /mɐu̯k.ʂɐ/. It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- The root of मोक्ष is the same as the root of the Lithuanian verb mùkti, which means 'to be released' or 'to escape'.
- While मोक्ष denotes the ultimate end of rebirth, the root मुच् from which it comes can also describe the simple physical act of 'loosening' something.
Examples in context
- मोक्षः परमं लक्ष्यम् अस्ति।mokṣaḥ paramaṃ lakṣyam asti.Liberation is the ultimate goal.
- सः मोक्षं प्राप्तवान्।saḥ mokṣaṃ prāptavān.He attained liberation.
- मोक्षस्य मार्गः कठिनः अस्ति।mokṣasya mārgaḥ kaṭhinaḥ asti.The path to liberation is difficult.
Example conversation
A student and a teacher are discussing spiritual philosophy in a garden.
- ईशा Ishaआर्यन्, किं मोक्षः सत्यम् अस्ति?āryen, kiṃ mokṣaḥ satyam asti?Aryan, is liberation real?
- आर्यन Aryanआम्, ईशा, मोक्षः सत्यम् अस्ति।ām, īśā, mokṣaḥ satyam asti.Yes, Isha, liberation is real.
- ईशा Ishaकथं मोक्षं प्राप्तुं शक्यते?kathaṃ mokṣaṃ prāptuṃ śakyate?How can one attain liberation?
- आर्यन Aryanज्ञानं प्राप्यैव मोक्षः सिद्ध्यति।jñānaṃ prāpyaiva mokṣaḥ siddhyati.Liberation is achieved through gaining knowledge.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “liberation” translations and entries मोक्ष, मुक्ति, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries मुक्ति, मोक्ष, CC BY-SA 4.0.
