Purushartha (पुरुषार्थ:)

Purushartha (Samskrit: पुरुषार्थ:) refers to the four principal categories of pursuits in human life namely, Dharma (धर्मः), Artha (अर्थः), Kama (कामः) and Moksha (मोक्षः). The life of a human being was set in the framework of these four Purusharthas by our ancient seers. The whole body of Bharatiya texts and parampara have all aspects of life and after-life events seen through the lens of the purusharthas. Thus Purushartha drsthi is the most unique of the principles of Sanatana Dharma. While a vast majority of people in the world live a life to fulfil Artha (अर्थः) and Kama (कामः) a few adhering to Dharma framework, very few pursue the Moksha purushartha.

परिचयः ॥ Introduction

All human beings work towards the following things as their goals

1. Basic necessities such as food, clothing and shelter; thus education and livelihood is a prime desire for self sustenance
2. Providing safety and security for themselves and family. Here the fear and insecurity of the future are addressed.
3. Supplementing mental and physical wants such as entertainment, investment and so on. Wants can be innumerable.
4. Morality and ethical goals such as following principles for healthy mental and physical well-being, charity, meditation etc
5. Perpetuation of family and lineage; work towards in-life and after-life happiness
6. Duties and responsibilities to family members and society
7. Attaining wisdom, knowledge, limitlessness.

व्युतपत्तिः ॥ Etymology

The term Purushartha पुरुषार्थ: is derived from the dhatu "पूः" in the sense of पुरं शरीरं च । one who resides in, enters in पुरि शेते इति। sleeps in the pura (city) or body, i.e., refers to the conscious Jiva who occupies the body is called Purusha (पुरुषः)। The derived meaning of the word Purusha is thus the Jiva or the embodied Atman. In the Bhagavata Purana we see that in the following shlokas पुरुषत्वे च मां धीराः (Bhag. Pura. 11.7.21) बह्व्यः सन्ति पुरः सृष्टास्तासां मे पौरुषी प्रिया २२। (Bhag. Pura. 11.7.22) and पुरं पुरुषमात्मवान् । (Bhag. Pura. 3.20.50) the term Purusha is used mainly to denote "a man", "a person". Thus when mentioned in shastras this term is used to designate not just the Jiva in general but refers particularly to a human being. In this context the "Purusha" in the term "Purushartha" refers particularly to a human being, specifically to the man and woman.

Artha

Artha Paribhasha

Artha is sanctified by Dana

Role of Artha in achieving Dharma

Kama

Kama Paribhasha