In Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism Moksha or Mukti refers to liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth of all suffering and limitation of worldly existence. Liberation is achieved by and accompanied with the complete ending of all material passions. When one attains this state it is known as Nirvana.

In Hinduism, liberation occurs when the individual soul recognizes itself with the Source of all phenomenal existence known as Brahman. Moksha is basically forsaking the material and worldly life and establishing oneself as a devoted servant of Vishnu in Vaishnavism, which is indeed the largest branch of Hinduism. The Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, Ramayana also emphasize on this personal, devotional type of Moksha, which is achieved through the practice of Bhakti Yoga.

There are two Hindu concepts of Moksha, namely personal and impersonal and are seen differently depending on one`s belief. In Dvaita philosophy (personal)Moksha is defined as the loving ,eternal union with God (Ishvara) and considered the highest perfection of existence. In Advaita philosophy(impersonal)Moksha is union with the oneness which Advaita advocates .The concepts of impersonal Moksha and Buddhist Nirvana overlap in their views on higher consciousness and attainment of Enlightenment .

In Hinduism self-realization(atma -jnana)is the key to obtain Moksha . There are believed to be four yogas (disciplines) or margas (paths) for the attainment of Moksha. They are the ways of working for the Supreme (Karma Yoga), realizing the Supreme (Jnana Yoga), meditating on the Supreme (Raja Yoga) and serving the Supreme in loving devotion (Bhakti Yoga).One must achieve Moksha on his or her own under the guidance of a "guru"-one who has already achieved success in Moksha .

Within Moksha or Mukti, there lies the ultimate peace (Shanti), the ultimate knowledge (Videh), the ultimate enlightenment (kaivalya) and the ultimate paradise (Swarga.)Although Nirvana is treated at par with the Hindu concept of Moksha it is a concept in Buddhism and occurs when the self is extinguished from the cycle of rebirth In Jainism, Moksha and Nirvana are the same. When a soul (atman) achieves Nirvana, it is released from the cycle of births and deaths, and achieves its pure self. It then becomes a Siddha (literally one who has accomplished his ultimate objective).In Jainism, attaining Moksha requires annihilation of all karmas, good and bad; because if karma is left, it must bear fruit.