What is "moksha" in Hinduism?

In Hinduism, "moksha" is the completion of the soul's cycle of birth, death and reincarnation. It is considered by many Hindus to be the ultimate goal, or the fourth and final "artha."

It is popularly considered to be the ultimate goal of the soul because it represents permanent liberation.

However, there is some conflict of opinion among Hindu scholars as to whether "moksha" means unity with God, or simply the realization that there was never any disunity in the first place. In the latter case, "moksha" is defined as the awareness and acceptance that one is, and has always been, God or the Supreme Brahman.