Purusharthas: The Four Goals of Human Life

An introduction

Purusartha



Purushartha

 is a Sanskrit word that can be translated

as the "object of human pursuit” or “goals of man.”



The term is derived from the

Sanskrit,

purusha,

meaning "person,"

and

artha,

 meaning "purpose.“



Therefore purusartha means “purpose of life.”



All four

Purusarthas

 are important, but in cases of

conflict,

Dharma

 is considered more important

than

Artha

or

Kama

 in Hindu philosophy.



Moksha

 is considered the ultimate ideal of human

life.



 At the same time, this is not a consensus among all

Hindus, and many have different interpretations of the

hierarchy, and even as to whether one should exist.

Degree of purusarthas

Dharma



Dharma means truth, the right way of living, and

human behaviors considered necessary for the order of

things in the world.



On a grander scale, it refers to the cosmic law or rules

that created the Universe from chaos.



Dharma

 is considered the first of

the

Purusharthas

 because without

it,

Artha

and

Kama

 can easily become self-destructive.



 However,

Artha

and

Kama

, when balanced, also serve

to support your Dharmic Path and eventually your

outward

Dharma

 leads you to inner

Moksha



Ultimately,

Dharma

 leads you to remember who you

really are.



The Bhagavad Gita

 also says, “

Better your own Dharma

though imperfect than the Dharma of another done

perfectly.”



This means that you need to find your own truth and

even though you may make mistakes along the way,

this is still preferable to trying to copy others.

Classification of dharma

Sadharana Dharma

Sadharana dharma

Vises dharma

Barna dharma

Ashrama dharma

Thank you

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Purushartha, derived from Sanskrit, encompasses the four life goals of dharma (duty), artha (prosperity), kama (pleasure), and moksha (liberation). Dharma, the foundation, guides the pursuit of the other goals leading to spiritual fulfillment. While dharma is considered paramount, moksha is ideal, emphasizing the importance of righteousness, wealth, pleasure, and ultimate liberation in Hindu philosophy.

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Presentation Transcript

An introduction

Purusartha Purushartha is a Sanskrit word that can be translated as the "object of human pursuit or goals of man.

purusha artha Purushartha

The term is derived from the Sanskrit, purusha, meaning "person," and artha, meaning "purpose. Therefore purusartha means purpose of life.

Purusartha moksha (spiritual liberation). dharma (moral duty), artha (economic prosperity), kama (love or pleasure)

All four Purusarthas are important, but in cases of conflict, Dharma is considered more important than Artha or Kama in Hindu philosophy. Moksha is considered the ultimate ideal of human life. At the same time, this is not a consensus among all Hindus, and many have different interpretations of the hierarchy, and even as to whether one should exist.

Degree of purusarthas Moksha - liberation. Dharma - righteousness or morality Artha - wealth K ma - sensual pleasure or love

Dharma Dharma means truth, the right way of living, and human behaviors considered necessary for the order of things in the world. On a grander scale, it refers to the cosmic law or rules that created the Universe from chaos.

Dharma the it, Artha and Kama can easily becomeself-destructive. However, Artha and Kama, when balanced, also serve to support your Dharmic Path and eventually your outward Dharma leadsyou to inner Moksha. Ultimately, Dharma leads you to remember who you reallyare. is considered the first of Purusharthas because without

The Bhagavad Gita also says, Better your own Dharma though imperfect than the Dharma of another done perfectly. This means that you need to find your own truth and even though you may make mistakes along the way, this is still preferable to trying to copy others.