Attainment- mukti, moksha

   Actually, there is nothing like mukti or moksha. Mukti is liberation; but, liberation from what? Once born, there is nothing else but 'to live' and one cannot die on his own. To die committing suicide is said to be sin. Nobody can run away from responsibilities. But, one thing is certain. What all is created will be destroyed and that is the natural law. So, as a human being, jiva born due to karma, it has to eat what it has cooked. Karma klesha are the seeds of our repeated births and deaths. These kleshas accrue due to the jiva's desire, attachment, and ignorance. Hence, the jiva can get liberated from its repeated births and deaths bu burning the seeds of karma by jnyana. This is the very purpose of life. Having born, to realize the purpose, the goal of life is the first duty of the jiva ifit wants mukti. But, the senses and the mind play the villain of the piece. They get the jiva entangled in the worldly pursuits become the cause of our misery, albeit a little joy in between.
    There is misconception regarding the concept of 'mukti' and 'moksha'. These are loosely translated into English as liberation, emancipation, release from bondage, attainment, etc These are to be clearly understood. In fact there is nothing like liberation according to great jnyanis like Raikva, Ashtavakra, Sage Vashishtha or Aavadhuta, They are of the opinion that 'only those who think they are in bondage seek liberation'. They proclaim "You are already free". Where is the need to seek liberation to one who is already liberarated?" If a person is already happily enjoying his life where is the need to seek happiness? The tricky situation is that one does not realize his happy state when he is already deeply involved in it and enjoying; when he comes out of it and revels in it he desires to enjoy it again! Thus the race begins. All desires start with either a memory or a dream to fulfill. No desire, no running about! this is real liberation from bondage, mukti, moksha.

   There is another deeper aspect of liberation. This is the liberation of the embodied soul. But, ordinarily people are not aware of this. Hence, there is no problem. However, certain jiva who come to know of this embodiment and its consequence, seek for immediate liberation. They get frightened at the prospect of taking repeated births in different births and the consequences (suffering). They realize that the earth is a place where "Whatever is born has to die". jatasya hi maranam dhruvam. In the Gita, Bhagavan Shree Krishna warns that" A  person (jiva) once born has to die and take birth and die, take birth and die, again and again and there is no guarantee that one who dies as a human will take birth as a human only again!" So a wise man will start planning to get out of this cycle of metempsychosis. Thus there arises the need for a teacher, study of scriptures, practice of yoga and finally, the grace of the Lord.

   There is no specific method by which one becomes a Rishi, Sage-seer or jnyani. However, spiritual practices are prescribed as in Patanjali Yogasutras to become a purified person eligible for this status. There is no other alternate but to become pure in thoughts, words, action, nature and attitude towards fellow-living beings- kaya, vacha, manasa, buddhyatmika svabhava parishuddhata and loka- sangraharthaya karma karyah. Gods or Cosmic Forces, devi devata shakti only bestow their grace on the spiritual seekers (sadhaka) and reveal the sacred word from the Heavens, as it were, (richa akshare parame vyoman).  The intuitional knowledge thus obtained, the revelations or darshan is the only knowledge beyond doubt! There is no need for further proof once a person gets this divine knowledge. This ;liberates the embodied  soul, and this is mukti, moksha.

   A Sage -seer is one who gets the divine knowledge. This is said to be the grace of the Deity of Ananada, Soma. Soma is the bestower of Bliss and the Lord of the Mind. One may get supreme knowledge, but will not become a Rishi. A Rishi must get the subtle word, mantra from the divine source. It is the unheard sound (anahata shabda). 

  Rk Veda 1. 31, 16 says, "Agni deva, the Divine Purifier, creates a Rishi, an enlightened soul with revelation", whereas, RV 9. 96. 18 says, " Soma creates a Seer". The famous Gayatree mantra is said to be the revelation had by Madhsudana Vaishva Mitra (3. 62. 10). 

  Although a number of Rks state that female Rishis had revelations it is not clear how come there is a division of male or female amongst the great attained souls who are beyond all dualities, who revel in unity consciousness!. hence one has to be careful as to the interpretations of the Vedic doctrines. There is total abnegation of Self at this level. This is what is called "I am the Universe" -aham brahmasmi However, there are different levels of heightened Consciousness before one attains this unity state, brahmn.  There may be Rishi, Maharishi, deva rishi, brahma rishi, etc. But brahman is not attained in all these states. When one drops everything and remains in stillness, he is brahmn.