section_path: Philosophy and practice/Moksha - liberating knowledge of Brahman
section_name: Moksha - liberating knowledge of Brahman
paragraph_text: Moksha - liberating knowledge of Brahman
  
  The central theme of Shankara's writings is the liberating knowledge of the true identity of jivatman (individual self) as Ātman)- Brahman. One of Shankara's main concerns was establishing the Upanishads as an independent means of knowledge beyond the ritually-oriented Mīmāṃsā exegesis of the vedas.
  
  According to Shankara, the one unchanging entity (Brahman) alone is real, while changing entities do not have absolute existence. Shankara's primary objective was to explain how moksha is attained in this life by recognizing the true identity of jivatman as Atman-Brahman, as mediated by the Mahāvākyas, especially Tat Tvam Asi, "That you are." Correct knowledge of jivatman and Atman-Brahman is the attainment of Brahman, immortality, and leads to moksha (liberation) from suffering and samsara, the cycle of rebirth This is stated by Shankara as follows:
  
  I am other than name, form and action. My nature is ever free! I am Self, the supreme unconditioned Brahman. I am pure Awareness, always non-dual.