Purusharthas
Purusharthas
(Sanskrit: "objectives of man")
purusha means human being and artha means object or objective. Purusharthas means
objectives of man. According to Hindu way of life, a man should strive
to achieve four chief objectives (Purusharthas) in his life. They are:
1. dharma (righteousness), 2. artha (material wealth), 3. kama (desire) and
4. moksha (salvation).
Every individual in a society is expected to achieve these four objectives and seek fulfillment in his life before
departing from here. The concept of Purusharthas clearly establishes the fact that Hinduism does not advocate a life of
self-negation and hardship, but a life
of balance, achievement and fulfillment.
Purusharthas means that for which a person strives
for. It implies our goals of life. It is extremely
important that our goals of life should be very clear. Just as before starting
a journey we should be very clear
about our destination, so also before starting any worldly or spiritual effort, we should very clear as to what we
are trying to achieve, what is our goal. The scriptures also before talking about the various sadhana-the means, first
tell us about the sadhya-the end. As
it is the lack of knowledge of goal which results in absence of enthusiasm to
take up any sadhana, so it is very
important to know our goals of life,
our purusharthas.
Four Purusharthas in Hinduism:
Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha
The people have different
types of desires
and goals, Hinduism describes it in four Purusharthas. They keep laboring
hard to achieve their desires
(Purusharthas). Sometimes people cannot differentiate between
desires and real goals. All people do not have known what to do and what not to do with their
desires and goals. So they puzzle in their life due to ignorance Desire with a blind mind may create a sin. Greed and
desire are said to be the root of all sins. So, Hindu and
yoga philosophy
has given a proper guideline
for legitimate goals. This is a Vedic
philosophy which has elaborated four aims (Purusharthas). Yoga’s
(Ashtanga Yoga,
Kripalu Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Siddha Yoga, Tantra Yoga) four aims (Purusharthas)
of life are common for entire human beings of the world. The aims are Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Mokshya. In Sanskrit, they are referred as “four Purusharthas” four courage of life. These are not important only as
an individual quality or need; but they are equally important to flourish one’s potentialities allowing living
happier, healthier and fulfilled life. It is
the foundation to grow and uplift spiritually.
Dharma (Duty)
First Purushartha
is known as Dharma has very vast and a multitude of meanings. The normal translating words, for ‘Dharma’, are religion, truth,
righteousness, wholesomeness etc. These all
meaning coincides moral and spiritual duty. Each and every activity of
people should be non- harming,
non-irritating for other. The work, duty or activities which are favorable for
one-self and other is said as Dharma.
People mistakenly believe that they should do spiritual work, prayer, worship etc to do dharma. This has
resulted in suffering. Some think theists perform dharma but an atheist cannot. It is not a correct concept. The
so-called theist, if does harmful deeds; it would be against dharma. Whether you believe in god or not, but out action of body,
mind, and speech
should be directed towards the welfare of all. It is the activity which is
justice for self and other. It seeks
the justice. Dharma has both gross and subtle meanings. For the inner world of an individual, the word ‘Dharma’
gives subjective meaning.
It may differ from one person to another person. It also
differs from one situation to another situation. However, it seeks to be true to the self and other.
Dharma is a
law of Nature. For example, Sun shines, planets revolve around the sun. It is
much more than religion. It has
nothing to give and take from the narrow religious idea, faith. In fact, Dharma is free from religious doctrine.
Dharma cannot be imprisoned within the theory of religion. To walk on the path of Dharma is doing what ought to
be done. The law of nature always
gives a positive result. It seeks the sustainable and true benefits of all. Dharma takes people at the top when followed properly.
Artha (Worldly gain)
It does not mean
that people have to earn a lot of wealth. It means to earn in a systematic and right way. It suggests to be prosperous
but keeping the dharma in mind. Prosperity is essential to lead a happy life. Earning in a wrong way is not a proper
duty. The householders need to earn for the livelihood of all family
members and whoever are dependent on them. If they earn in excess amount their duty is to donate to the needy people. It
is a good rule that a person has to
donate the one-tenth portion of his earning. They have to maintain a
progressive status to improve both dharma and artha simultaneously. The word ‘artha’
also gives the meaning earthly recognition. The prestige, name,
fame, sound relation in the society etc are the earthly gain.
Another
important worldly gain is good health. Unless one is healthy, he cannot achieve
the goals of life. Being healthy all
the time is itself of treasure. It is the basis and foundation for performing any work.
Kama (Physical and Sensual
Pleasure)
Hindu philosophy
also includes the worldly pleasures, including sexuality, love, marriage, arts, music, food, etc during the second stage
of life. It includes innate urge as well in order to attain one’s ambition. Achievement of these aspirations is linked with Kama. It is the
lord of desire to enjoy the life in
the fullest extent. Kama also refers the relationship with the higher concept
of beauty through artistic
expression. However, during the achievements, one should sincerely observe
the dharma. Anything
which is acquired
in absence of Dharma
will take towards
misery.
Most of the
people perceive Kama as a sexual pleasure. However, it has a broader meaning. Actually, anything that brings joy and
pleasure in our life is Kama. If one completely tuned at present, live in present, then he acquires real pleasure. At the highest stage of Kama, we connect
to our higher self or divinity. It is a conscious stage at
the present moment.
Moksha (Liberation or Enlightenment)S
At the fourth
stage of life, after having all the experience of the world, human have to
strive for liberation. Fixing dharma
as a basis, if one has achieved the first three Purusharthas, gradually a time appears when one surpasses
them. If Artha and Kama are based on Dharma, then attaining
the final aim i.e. moksha will be easier. As one goes through the first three
goals, he will realize that there is
no permanent happiness in them. So, he feels that source of eternal peace and joyfulness should be sought.
But, if there is not a good foundation, then moksha is impossible. Actually, Mokshya is the liberation of freedom from
the recurring births into the body
after destructing all the karmas. It requires a higher level of wisdom and
self-realization. It is the realization
of highest truth.
These four
aims (Purusharthas) are incomparable to each other. Each of them has its own importance. Each helps other to reach the
final destiny. They are like the legs of a chair, all are equally
important for the existence of chair. They are the pillars of a fulfilling life. They interweave each other. However, first
three Purusharthas are the gear to approach the fourth. When the people start striving
towards these Purusharthas, life becomes happier
and easier. The life will be incomplete without
achievement of these Purusharthas. The success of life is hidden on the achievement of the four aims.
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