World of Philosophy

SR No.: 007005
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 1002
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 30 MB

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A. Purushaarthas: Purushaarthas are four; they are: Dharma, Artha, Kaama and Moksha. a) Dharma: This is religious value. The term Dharma is derived from the root dhr, which means to hold, integrate, maintain or regulate(dhaaryate iti dharma). Dharma is that which is holding and supporting the entire universe and is the means for the attainment of ultimate bliss of mankind24. Dharma has been defined as the sum total of pious thoughts and observances.25 Dharma entails pure heartedness, right thinking, right character, non-violence, faith in truth, non-acceptance, non-stealing, control of senses and mind, practice of yoga, leading one's own life by his/her earnings, charity, humility, courage in danger, knowledge of one's own self, meditation and helping others.26 Dharma also includes the knowledge of Soul, God, World, Karma, Merit, Demerit, Rebirth etc., and their inter-relationships. Dharma is also defined as 'from that self-progress, worldly progress as well as transcendental bliss is attained"27. Valmiki defines Dharma as 'that which is harmful to oneself should not be practiced in the case of others also. 28 The above definitions of Dharma not only include Personality Development but also social development which blossoms through co-operation, harmony and peace.
Dharma or religious value is placed first because it plays an important role for the Personality Development since on the basis of which one has to earn money and administer or conduct his duties and enjoy the life which is in conformity with final goal. b) Artha: This is economical value. Artha literally means meaning. It also means a thing or an object. It refers to any object of senses or volitions or actions. According to Zimmer: "Artha connotes attainment of riches, worldly prosperity, advantage, profit, wealth, business-matter, work, price H"29 etc. In addition to the above dynamics of Artha, Kautalya includes land, agriculture, state, power, administration etc.30
For Personality Development one has to earn one's own bread and help others if possible, but should not depend on others for his lively-hood. Selfeffort and self-dependence are the sign of development. Living on others earning will lead to parasitic personality. Hence, Artha, in this context, means to take up some job and earn money in accordance with the principles laid down by Dharma and lead a comfortable life which is in conformity with the summum bonum of life.
c) Kaama: This is hedonistic value. The word Kaama has many connotations: passion, sex, lust, desire, love for pleasure etc. Vatsaayana defines Kaama as a tendency or disposition operating at four distinct levels i.e. mind, self, senses and objects of senses.31 Considered as value, Kaama can be defined as the consciousness of enjoyment through the sensory organs. The
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