Liberation Before Death
Jīvanmukta (jīvan = living, mukta = liberated) is one who has achieved the full realization of their nature and eliminated the root of future karma, while still inhabiting a physical body. The body continues to live until its prārabdha karma (the karma that has already begun to bear fruit, like an arrow already released) is exhausted — after which the jīvanmukta attains videhamukti (liberation at the time of death).
Is Jīvanmukti Possible in Viśiṣṭādvaita?
This concept is primarily from Advaita Vedānta, where the moment of the realization of non-dual Brahman is held to be full liberation. In Viśiṣṭādvaita, the situation is more nuanced:
- The prapanna who has performed prapatti is in a sense already "liberated" — the Lord has guaranteed their liberation at the end of this body's life
- The bhakti-yogin who has attained parabhakti is considered to be on the immediate threshold of liberation
- The Āzhvārs received extraordinary sākṣātkāra (direct vision) of the Lord by His grace while in their bodies — but this is not classified as jīvanmukti in Viśiṣṭādvaita. Their liberation (videhamukti) occurred at the departure of the body
Practical Significance
Note: In Viśiṣṭādvaita/Teṅkalai, liberation (mokṣa) is videhamukti — attained at the departure of the body. Extraordinary grace-experiences while embodied are not classified as liberation in this tradition. The Āzhvārs' songs express the consciousness of one who has already crossed the threshold — they speak from the other shore while still standing on this shore.