The Four Purusharthas: Pillars of a Fulfilling Life

The eternal stream of Sanatan Dharma has been flowing since the beginning of creation, teaching humanity the timeless values of life. To make human life meaningful, Sanatan Dharma outlines four fundamental goals of life: Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksh (liberation). Let’s review them.

Dharma is like a flame that constantly inspires us to walk the path of truth. Artha provides stability in life; Kama celebrates life’s many pleasures and colors; and Moksh is the ultimate resting place of the soul. 

Together, these four aims bring balance and completeness to human life. While Dharma provides resolve, Artha gathers resources, Kama fills life with joy, and Moksh opens the door to liberation. Achieving this balance and harmony is the essence of Sanatan living.

Dharma: The Path of Righteousness

Dharma is the basis of moral responsibilities to maintain harmony in society. The life of Shri Ram is a supreme example of Dharma. To honour his promise to his father (King Dashratha) word, Sri Ram willingly gave up kingly comforts and his right to the throne and accepted exile. He showed how Dharma should be upheld for the greater good, even when it brings hardships. This Sanskrit verse illustrates the significance of Dharma:

“Dharmena hināh pashubhih samanah" 

 (A person devoid of Dharma is equivalent to an animal.)

Artha: The Pursuit of Prosperity

Artha refers to wealth, material success, and the resources necessary for fulfilling responsibilities and contributing to society. Scriptures narrate the life story of King Harishchandra, who renounced his wealth and even his family to uphold Dharma. Eventually, he received divine blessings and regained his riches due to his penance and truthfulness. Raja Harishchandra’s life illustrates that wealth gained through honesty and integrity is true Artha. Still, it also warns of the sacrifices one may have to make to uphold righteousness in the material world.

Sri Krishna says: 

“Ananyashchintayanto mam ye janah paryupasate, tesham nityabhiyuktanam yoga-kshemam vahamyaham”
(Bhagavad Gita 9.22)

(For those who always think of Me with devotion, I provide what they lack and preserve what they have.)

When earned righteously, Artha brings stability to life and service opportunities.

Kama: The Fulfillment of Desires

Kama represents pleasure, love, and the pursuit of happiness in a balanced way. It includes desires for art, relationships, and sensory pleasures but should align with Dharma. Fulfilling desires in accordance with Dharma makes life joyful, while indulgence without restraint leads to suffering.

Moksh: The Ultimate Liberation

Moksh is liberation from the cycle of birth and death and the union of the soul with the Supreme. In Katha Upanishad, Nachiketa questions Yama about the mystery of death and the soul. Rejecting the temptations of wealth and pleasure, he chooses knowledge and ultimately attains Moksh. Moksh frees one from material bondage and grants eternal bliss.

The Pavamana Mantra, a prayer from the Brihadaranyak Upnishad, sheds light on how our life journeys should be.

"Asato ma sadgamaya| tamaso ma jyotirgamaya| mrityor mamritam gamaya ||”

 (Lead me from the untruth to the truth, from the darkness to the light, from \death to immortality.)

A well-lived life requires a delicate balance of Dharma, Artha, and Kama while striving for Moksh or liberation. Just as a bird needs two wings to fly, life needs both material and spiritual progress to reach its highest potential. Each Purushartha complements and supports the others—Dharma provides the ethical framework for Artha and Kama. Moksh, on the other hand, is the ultimate aim of life—it gives lasting meaning to our actions and reminds us that beyond material success and pleasure lies a deeper spiritual fulfillment.