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1.
Knowledge
There are infinite living beings in the world, and all of them desire happiness. Although everyone's conception of happiness is not the same, it can be broadly categorized into two classes based on the level of development. The first class consists of less developed beings whose conception of happiness is limited to external means. The second class includes more developed beings who do not consider the attainment of external or material means as happiness but rather find happiness in the acquisition of spiritual qualities. The difference between the two understood forms of happiness is that the first is dependent, while the second is independent. Dependent happiness is called desire (kama) and independent happiness is called liberation (moksha). Desire and liberation are the only two human pursuits (purusharthas) since there is no other main goal for living beings. The calculations of wealth (artha) and righteousness (dharma) are not considered main goals but rather means to desire and liberation respectively. Wealth is the primary means for desire and righteousness is the principal means for liberation. The primary subject matter of this scripture is liberation. Therefore, the author of the scripture points out that the means to it, which is righteousness, is divided into three sections in the first aphorism:
Right perception, right knowledge, and right conduct are the path to liberation.
This aphorism merely indicates the names of the means to liberation. The descriptions of their nature and distinctions will be elaborated later; however, there will still be a brief indication of their nature here.
The nature of liberation is the complete spiritual development that occurs in the absence of bondage and the causes of bondage; in other words, the peak of knowledge and the state of detachment is liberation.