Purusharthas Dharma, Artha, Kama , Moksha

1. The
Purusharthas

2. Purpose
• Comprehensive look at what is meant by
Purusharthas
• A look at each of the Purusharthas in
detail
• How the Purusharthas relate to us and
can be used to answer some of the
basic questions about:
– life in general
– the art of living

3. Purusharthas Summarised
• Aims or pursuits of life which humans may legitimately
engage
• 4 such pursuits; Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha
• Why Artha and Kama and why that order?
• ‘Man is engaged in the pursuit of the first three
Purusharthas but pays little attention to the fourth’
• Ultimate aim of life should be Moksha

4. Dharma
• Righteous living - Moral integrity
• The fulfilment of virtue, good works, duties
and responsibilities
• Of four primary forms; Satya (truth), Tapa
(penance), Pavitrata (purity) and Daya
(compassion)
• Dharma is right conduct as authenticated by
Shruti and Smruti
• Steady guide for Artha, Kama and Moksha

5. Artha (1)
• Worldly possessions or wealth - money,
properties etc. for the basic needs.
• Necessity for householders
• Pursuit of wealth guided by and within the
confines of Dharma, such that it doesn’t obstruct
Moksha - i.e. sourced from good means
• Measured by not only riches but quality of life
• Greatest and best wealth is remembrance of
God

6. Artha (2)
• Provides the social security needed to pursue
Kama, Dharma and Moksha
• Such wealth should be employed for good
deeds such as performing religious events,
feeding the poor, supporting religious
mendicants, protecting all creatures
• Such employment of wealth will ensure
Moksha

7. Kama
• Worldly sensual pleasure, love/lust, enjoyment
• Again should be practised within the confines
of Dharma such that it doesn’t obstruct
Moksha
• Necessity and practice in Grihastashram, but
within boundaries
• Excessive enjoyment leading to downfall and
entry to Hell (Bhagwad Gita)
• In this way, Kama is not necessarily bad thing

8. Moksha
• Final Liberation - Ultimate Salvation
• Freedom from birth and rebirth - ultimate
attainment
• Mukti on Earth

9. Conclusion & Summary
• Know who you are and who God is
• Know that we are here and we have this rare
opportunity to leave the cycle of rebirth
• Know where we want to go - that the singular aim of
life should be to reach God
• Know that the voyage there should be aided with
Dharma and Bhakti
• Know that Artha and Kama are necessary in life
(specifically for Grihastas) and should be used
sparingly to supplement the ultimate aim