Purushartha

What is purushartha?

Purushartha in its literal sense means objective of man. It has four aspects:

Dharma = morality, duty
Artha = Wealth, Means of living
Kama = Pleasure, love, relationships
Moksha = Liberation, self-actualization

All four goals interplay with each other. Some help in achievement of other goals. Others deter from the achievement of goals.

What is meaning of life?

All the religions of world tell you how you should live your life but never tell you why. Except Hinduism. This is not to boast of hinduism as a religion, because it is not. Hinduism is “a way of life”. Which is why you’d find explicit mention of “meaning of life” in Hindu text.

Purushartha - Translates literally to “objective of man”, is the concept that teaches what goals a human should strive to. There are four goals that form objective of a human life

Dharma

Means to live with morality and rightousness. This is the first and foremost goal of all, and takes precedence over all others. One should, above everything else, strive to live morally, with right actions and fulfill their duties.

Artha

Means wealth and way of living. One should benefit themselves with material prosperity through their work. Always striving to build a succesfull career and maintain financial security.

Kama

Means sensual pleasure and love. A human life is nothing without emotions, desires, pleasure, love and relationships. Kama is pursuit of sensual pleasures and pure love.

Moksha

Means liberation or self-actualization. This is ultimate goal of human life- to break from cycle of rebirths. Moksha can only be achieved after having achieved all the other three goals. Without the experience of moral dillemas, pursuit of success and passion of pleaasures, renunciation is nothing but throwing a baloon against cycle of rebirths. It is when you accumulate all these experience, desires and wealth- that renunciating it brings any effect.