Mukti is not anything to be attained. It is our real nature. We are always that. It is only so long as one feels that he is in bondage that he has to try to get released from bondage. When a man feels that he is in bondage he tries to find out for whom is the bondage and by that enquiry discovers that there is no bondage for him but only for the mind, and that the mind itself disappears or proves non-existent when turned inwards instead of outwards towards sense-objects; it merges into its source, the Self, and ceases to exist as a separate entity. In that state there is no feeling either of bondage or liberation. So long as one speaks of mukti he is not free from the sense of bondage. (Sri Ramana Maharshi)
Thirukkural, 361:
The wise declare that for all living beings it is desire that of births is ever the seed.
And nanavacittam:
When the fuel of desire is spent, the fire of thought subsides. This is a truth upon which we should reflect. Mounting the tall chariot of renunciation, O hero, and looking upon the poor earth, sorely afflicted by desire, with the noble gaze of compassion, remain free of any lack.
Compare Olivil Odukkam v. 171:
Do we not know, from the way in which trifling pleasures arise and then just as quickly fade away, that supreme bliss is simply the eradication of desire? If we enquire into it and clearly understand that it is like the bamboo container into which insects enter, get stuck and die, desire for the pleasures of the five senses will end.
Mind, your desire is to move about, never remaining still, whilst my true desire is to remain still, abandoning movement. How you wander about, attempting to realise the lofty state of liberation, considering it a sin to remain still and quiet upon this earth! Shiva is not something that can be perceived by the senses. Therefore realise and clearly know that to remain free of thoughts is the means for you to reach Him.
The degree of the absence of thoughts is the measure of your progress towards Self-Realisation. But Self-Realisation itself does not admit of progress; it is ever the same. The Self remains always in realisation. The obstacles are thoughts. Progress is measured by the degree of removal of the obstacles to understanding that the Self is always realised. So thoughts must be checked by seeking to whom they arise. So you go to their Source, where they do not arise. (Sri Ramana Maharshi)