Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha
Virtue, Wealth, Pleasure and Emancipation
Explanations drawn from the teachings of
Swami Nikhilananda, Sri Ramakrishna Math
The affirmative attitude of Hinduism toward life
has been emphasised by its recognition of four
legitimate and basic desires:
1. Dharma or righteousness
2. Artha or wealth
3. Kama or sense pleasure
4. Moksha or freedom through communion with God or the
Infinite.
These four attainments of life are collectively known
as Purushartha
Of these, the first three belong to the realm of
worldly values; the fourth is called the supreme
value. The fulfilment of the first three paves the way
for Moksha.
Dharma (Virtue)
Dharma or Virtue is the fundamental means by which to
attain the other three goals. Dharma is founded in
Truth and it is the support of the universe. But the
majority of people in their ignorance forget the first
and the last, and run after worldly pleasures, often
resorting to unrighteous means. As a result they
suffer all through their lives. Misery is the
inevitable result of adharma (opposite of dharma).
Observing this sad plight of the people, Vyasa says in
the Mahabharata:
"Artha and Kama, which all people desire so much, can
be attained from Dharma itself. Why then do they not
follow Dharma?"
Sri Shankaracharya said:
"Dharma is the law of conduct by means of which man
attains worldly prosperity as well as final beatitude
or Moksha".
The key to individual and social ethics of Hinduism is
the conception of Dharma, whose full implications
cannot be conveyed by such English words as religion,
duty or righteousness. Derived from a root which means
to support, the word signifies the law of inner growth
by which a person is supported in his present state of
evolution and is shown the way to future development.
A person's Dharma is not imposed by society or decreed
by an arbitrary God, but is something with which he is
born as a result of his actions in previous lives.
Dharma determines a man's proper attitude toward the
outer world and governs his mental and physical
reactions in a given situation. It is his code of
honour.
Dharma is the basis of both individual progress and
social welfare.
Artha (Wealth)
Dharma should be strictly adhered to for the
attainment of worldly prosperity. Wealth must be
earned or acquired according to Dharma.
Kama (Pleasure)
The object of the third legitimate desire is Kama, or
the enjoyment of sense pleasure. This covers a vast
area- from the enjoyment of conjugal love, without
which the creation cannot be maintained, to the
appreciation of art, music and poetry. Sense
pleasures, if not pursued according to Dharma,
degenerate into sensuality.
Wealth and sense pleasure, which are only means to an
end, are valuable in so far as their enjoyment creates
a genuine yearning for spiritual freedom in the mind
of the enjoyer.
Moksha Emancipation)
The fourth legitimate desire, equally irresistible, is
related to Moksha, or freedom from the love and
attachment prompted by the finite view of life. Man,
who in essence is spirit, cannot be permanently
satisfied with worldly experiences. After fulfilling
all his worldly desires and responsibilities a man
still wants to know how he can suppress his inner
restlessness and attain peace. So at last he gives up
attachment to the world and seeks freedom through the
knowledge of the spirit.
___________________________________
>From The Mahabharata
Salya Parva, Section LX.
Translated by sri Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Balarama (who was conversant with the rules of
morality) said:
Morality is well practised by the good. Morality,
however, is always afflicted by two things, viz., the
desire of Profit entertained by those that covet it,
and the desire for Pleasure cherished by those that
are wedded to it. Whoever without afflicting Morality
and Profit, or Morality and Pleasure, or Pleasure and
Profit, follows all three, viz., Morality, Profit and
Pleasure, always succeeds in obtaining great
happiness.
__________________________________________________________
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