Changes

Intuitive recognition of what is permanent and everlasting led to the revealing of an ultimate principle called variously as [[Brahman (ब्रह्मन्)|Brahman]] or Parabrahman, depending on the sampradaya. Brahman is referred to as having the signs of Satyam (Existence), Jnanam (Knowledge) and Anantam (Infinite). It is all-pervading, omniscient and hence considered as substratum of the universe as per Advaita Vedanta. The [[Jiva (जीवः)|Jiva]] refers to an individual and the personal aspect of the ultimate principle of the universe encased in a Jiva was called as Atman, the transcendental self. The Upanishadic seers laid out the philosophy that Atman/Brahman were satya (truth) and nitya  (everlasting) and urged the human beings to realize Atman as it was the fountainhead of permanent joy or Ananda and helped one to overcome all miseries, sufferings and inadequacies in life. They declared that in this highest state of realization and in this lies the true well-being and welfare (kalyana) of one and all. <ref name=":2" />     

Intuitive recognition of what is permanent and everlasting led to the revealing of an ultimate principle called variously as [[Brahman (ब्रह्मन्)|Brahman]] or Parabrahman, depending on the sampradaya. Brahman is referred to as having the signs of Satyam (Existence), Jnanam (Knowledge) and Anantam (Infinite). It is all-pervading, omniscient and hence considered as substratum of the universe as per Advaita Vedanta. The [[Jiva (जीवः)|Jiva]] refers to an individual and the personal aspect of the ultimate principle of the universe encased in a Jiva was called as Atman, the transcendental self. The Upanishadic seers laid out the philosophy that Atman/Brahman were satya (truth) and nitya  (everlasting) and urged the human beings to realize Atman as it was the fountainhead of permanent joy or Ananda and helped one to overcome all miseries, sufferings and inadequacies in life. They declared that in this highest state of realization and in this lies the true well-being and welfare (kalyana) of one and all. <ref name=":2" />     

=== Philosophy of Purusharthas - Collectivist Viewpoint ===

=== Purusharthas - Perspective of Purposefulness  ===

While the Charvaka philosophy follows an out and out principle of sensual satiety, the [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]], [[Dharmashastras (धर्मशास्त्राणि)|Dharmashastras]], Smriti granthas and other texts, established principles of a social framework and ground rules for good life, to ensure the well-being of all. This third perspective lies in between the hedonistic Charvaka philosophy and transcendent ideals of the Vedic texts.<ref name=":2" /> As the human being evolved, there came into being the personal notions of "meaning and purpose of human existence" and consequently the conception of wellbeing. Indian seers considered man not just as an ‘organism’ having animal characteristics, but also as a ‘being’ who has potentialities to achieve ‘divinity’, besides having what are universally considered as ‘human’ characteristics. Thus beings are of three kinds - rakshasa gana, daivagana and manushya gana.<ref name=":2" />  

While the Charvaka philosophy follows an out and out principle of sensual satiety, the [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]], [[Dharmashastras (धर्मशास्त्राणि)|Dharmashastras]], [[Smrti (स्मृतिः)|Smrti]] granthas and other texts, established principles of a social framework and ground rules for good life, to ensure the well-being of the society. This perspective lies in between the hedonistic Charvaka philosophy and transcendent ideals of the Vedic texts.  The ideals and practices of care, healing, and well-being in ancient Indian way of thinking are implicit in [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhya]] and [[Dharmasutras (धर्मसूत्राणि)|Dharma]] Sutras. The former deals with domestic rites and the latter with the regulations for the socio-religious life. Its various aspects are interwoven with many of the other unique reflections and practices, such as: [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Samskaras]], [[Purushartha (पुरुषार्थ:)|Purusharthas]], [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]], and [[Varnashrama Dharma (वर्णाश्रमधर्मः)|Varnashrama dharmas]].<ref name=":5">Giri Krishnan. "Hindu Perspectives on Care, Healing, and Human Well-Being." In  ''Care, Healing, and, Human Well-Being within Interreligious Discourses'' by Helmut Weiss, Karl H. Federschmidt, Daniël J. Louw, Linda Sauer Bredvik,  181-197. African Sun Media, SUN MeDIA, 2021</ref> As the human being evolved, there came into being the personal notions of "meaning and purpose of human existence" and consequently the conception of wellbeing. For this reason, the seers formulated four major goals of human existence called [[Purushartha (पुरुषार्थ:)|Purusharthas]]. They are dharma (values), artha (wealth), kaama (desires) and moksha (liberation).<ref name=":2" /> The idea of Purusharthas, is to create a four-fold network regarding what life is about and its connection to the general human quest for meaning and purposefulness. Well-being points to a sense of satisfaction and contentment with life as a whole, as well as an inner sense of feeling at peace with our world.<ref name=":5" /> More than the search for artificial forms of happiness, Hindus are taught to value well-being, a sense of satisfaction with life, as primary to a sense of '''purposefulness'''. Thus, they are encouraged to experience sensual pleasures (kama), to pursue profit and material prosperity (artha) and to fulfill their religious and moral duties toward family and society (dharma). A well-lived life requires that one pursue and achieve all these goals, especially during the early phases of one’s life when one marries and raises a family. The significance of moksa as an ultimate aim of life lies in its engendering a particular orientation to this world and its activities. It is the belief that every rebirth is an opportunity for humans to work toward the ultimate goal of liberation, or moksa—to break free from samsara, the never-ending cycle of rebirths and re-deaths. This belief assumes that the world around us, enchanting and seductive though it may appear, is ultimately unfulfilling. So, while enjoying the pleasures that this world has to offer has its place and is important, many recognize that, in the end, such enjoyment is unlikely to be truly satisfying.<ref>Menon, Usha. "Hinduism, Happiness and Wellbeing: A Case Study of Adulthood in an Oriya Hindu Temple Town." In ''Happiness Across Cultures: Views of Happiness and Quality of Life in Non-Western Cultures'', edited by H. Selin and G. Davey, 417-434. Dordrecht: Springer. 2012</ref>  

 

=== Ayurvedic Viewpoint ===

=== Ayurvedic Viewpoint ===