Four Purusharthas

Four Purusharthas

In this article, we will discuss Hinduism facts about the four Purusharthas, i.e., four aims of life. The word Purusha means human being and Artha means purpose or meaning. Therefore, Purushartha means “purpose of human life”.

If you are new to Hinduism, you might have a question in your mind that how to live an ideal life as a Hindu. Is it always necessary to denounce the normal life and become an ascetic to acquire salvation?  What are the aims of a Hindu’s life?

According to Vedas, there are four Purusharthas or aims of a Hindu’s life:

1. Dharma.

2. Artha.

3. Kama.

4. Moksha.

Table of Contents:

Dharma:

Dharma is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Dhar’ which means ‘that which holds together”. It means the religion or the eternal laws that govern our life, but here it actually means righteousness, i.e., duty toward society, family, and humanity. So, one has to observe Dharma while living in society by respecting the laws of society and doing the right things. It is considered superior to Artha and Kama.

Artha:

Artha means wealth or things related to earning money. This does not at all mean that Hinduism advocates the acquisition of wealth only but Hinduism understands the importance of money in a person’s life. To live life happily, you need money but this money should be acquired by honest methods only. If there is a clash between Dharma and Artha, Dharma should be given more priority than Artha.

Kama:

The Kama means pleasure or desires, especially “sexual pleasure.”  The word “kama” here also means the pleasure we derive from cultural pursuits, sports, and other creative activities that help us enjoy life.

People know Hinduism for spirituality but Hinduism is also a very practical religion. Hinduism honestly appreciates that sexual pleasure is one of the highest and purest pleasures that God had given to the human. Sex is, no doubt, an important part of a human’s life and we should accept it wholeheartedly. It is the basic instinct through which we procreate ourselves and preserve the human race. Every human being has the right to fulfill his/her legitimate desires.

Moksha:

The Moksha means salvation, i.e., the liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Hinduism believes in reincarnation. What we are today is the result of our past life Karma, and what we would be in the next life would be the result of what we do in the present life. Our soul thus gets trapped in the cycle of birth and rebirth. Therefore, Moksha is necessary to liberate the soul from this cycle. Moksha is the ultimate aim of a Hindu’s life.

Hinduism not only tells the aims of life but also tells how to achieve them. A Hindu’s life is therefore divided into four stages or Ashramas to achieve these aims, viz. Bramhacharyashram, Grihastahsram, Vanaprasthashram, and Sanyasashram.

If you know more about four Purusharthas, then please use the comment section to let us know.

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