Meaning of Purushartha : There are two parts of human life in Vedic religion—one physical and second metaphysical. The word rise is the word for the physical advancement, for the acquisition, protection and enjoyment of material. The metaphysical part is said to be spiritual, its peak achievement is salvation, which is called as ‘unselfish’. For the accomplishment of this advanced and nondiscriminatory goal, the causation acts have been called as ‘Purushartha’. Types of Purushartha :
There are four types of Purushartha. These are :
(i) Dharma,
(ii) Artha,
(iii) Kama,
(iv) Moksha.
1. Dharma (Religion) : Religion refers to the compliance of those duties, which also contribute to the progress of the society along with the person.
2. Artha (money) : All humans need and their physical desires are fulfilled through ‘Artha’ (money). According to Vedic tenets, money is auspicious for the world, by which welfare of people is done. The meaning should be acquired by means of material pleasure.
3. Kama : These accumulated materials should be restrained, sacrificed, and should not be left over.
4. Moksha (Salvation) : Salvation is supreme ‘Purushartha’. It is co-operative and money (Artha) and Kama are its means : The ultimate purpose of human life is to get salvation. The attainment of salvation can happen to him in the same condition when it develops in harmony.
Arshram system : After assuming the ideal age of hundred years in Veda, the human life was divided into four parts, which are called as four ashrams : Brahamacharya, Grahastha, Vanprastha and Sanyasa.
These are described in detail as follows:
- Brahmacharya Ashram : It is period of education and sacrament. In this stage a person prepares to become a deserving civic in future life by practising harsh tenacity.
- Grahastha Ashram : It is considerd as the best ashram, because this ashram is the basis of all three ashrams. This ashram expects the most activism, manhood (Purushartha) and dutifulness.
- Vanprastha ashram : The arrangement for retirement from duty of the grahastha ashram and the motivation for work of society is called Vanprastha Ashram. It is a period of working for the good of society. In this stage, the society gets the benefit of the person’s expertise and experience.
- Sanyas Ashram : The time to build a positive, sattvik environment with the help of unselfishness while devoting oneself to God, while remaining free from worldly attachment, is called ‘Sanyas Ashram’
