Purushartha

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Shankara Bharadwaj Khandavalli

Purushartha is purpose/fulfillment of life. By fulfilling Purushartha, man gets fulfillment for life as well as sustains the society.

There are four Purusharthas:

• Dharma,
• Artha,
• Kama and
• Moksha.

Dharma is righteousness. Artha is wealth and Kama is fulfillment of desire. Dharma should be the basis for Artha and Kama. Both Artha and Kama stand for how a righteous man should contribute to his society and mankind in general.