Purusharthas, Dharma, Artha, Karma and Moksha

Purusha means human being and artha means object or objective. Purusharthas means objectives of man. According to Hindu way of life, a man should strive to achieve four chief objectives (Purusharthas) in his life. They are: 

1.    dharma (righteousness), 

2.    artha (material wealth), 

3.    kama (desire) and 

4.    moksha (salvation). 

Every individual in a society is expected to achieve these four objectives and seek fulfillment in his life before departing from here. The concept of Purusharthas clearly establishes the fact that Hinduism does not advocate a life of self negation and hardship, but a life of balance, achievement and fulfillment. 

Read more here: » Purusharthas: Dharma, Artha, Karma and Moksha - The Purusharthas

Including:

• Dharma - Meanings and origins of the word Dharma
• Dharma - Dharma in Hinduism
• Dharma - Proto-dharma: rta in the Vedas
• Dharma - Developing conceptions
• Dharma - Dharma as a Purushartha
• Dharma - Kane's view
• Dharma - In Jainism
• Dharma - The two Dharmas
• Dharma - In Buddhism
• Dharma - The teachings of the Buddha
• Dharma - Qualities of Buddha Dharma
• Dharma - Dharmas in Buddhist phenomenology
• Dharma - Dharma as righteousness

Read more here: » Dharma

In East Asia, the word for Dharma is 法, pronounced fǎ in Mandarin and hō in Japanese. Dharma - The teachings of the Buddha. For practicing Buddhists, references to "dharma" or dhamma in the singular, particularly as "the" Dharma, is used to mean the teachings of the Buddha, and is sometimes referred to as the Buddha-Dharma. Dharma is the universal law of nature and to call it Buddha-Dhamma suggests that other kinds of Dharma may exist. But this is not so, there is only one Dharma. The term Buddha-Dharma merely refers to the fact that it was discove ...

See also:

Dharma, Dharma - Meanings and origins of the word Dharma, Dharma - Dharma in Hinduism, Dharma - Origin and development in Hinduism, Dharma - Proto-dharma: rta in the Vedas, Dharma - Developing conceptions, Dharma - Dharma as a Purushartha, Dharma - Kane's view, Dharma - In Jainism, Dharma - The two Dharmas, Dharma - In Buddhism, Dharma - The teachings of the Buddha, Dharma - Qualities of Buddha Dharma, Dharma - Dharmas in Buddhist phenomenology, Dharma - Dharma as righteousness

Read more here: » Dharma: Encyclopedia II - Dharma - In Buddhism

Dharma (Sanskrit, roughly law or way) is the way of the higher Truths. Beings that live in harmony with Dharma proceed more quickly towards moksha, nirvana, or personal liberation. Dharma forms the basis for philosophies, beliefs and practices originating in India. The oldest of these, widely known as Hinduism, is Sanatana Dharma or Eternal Dharma. Buddhism, Ayyavazhi, Jainism and Sikhism also retain the centrality of Dharma. For the followers of these traditions, Dharma also refers to the teachings ...

Including:

Dharma - Meanings and origins of the word Dharma Dharma - Dharma in Hinduism
Dharma - Origin and development in Hinduism Dharma - Proto-dharma: rta in the Vedas Dharma - Developing conceptions Dharma - Dharma as a Purushartha Dharma - Kane's view
Dharma - In Jainism
Dharma - The two Dharmas
Dharma - In Buddhism
Dharma - The teachings of the Buddha Dharma - Qualities of Buddha Dharma Dharma - Dharmas in Buddhist phenomenology Dharma - Dharma as righteousness

Read more here: » Dharma: Encyclopedia - Dharma

Dharma (Sanskrit, roughly law or way) is the way of the higher Truths. Dharma forms the basis for philosophies, beliefs and practices originating in India. The oldest of these, widely known as Hinduism, is Sanatana Dharma or Eternal Dharma. Buddhism, Ayyavazhi, Jainism and Sikhism also retain the centrality of Dharma. In these traditions, beings that live in harmony with Dharma proceed more quickly towards moksha, nirvana, or personal liberation. Dharma also refers to the teachings and doctrines of t ...

Including:

Dharma - Meanings and origins of the word Dharma Dharma - Dharma in Hinduism
Dharma - Origin and development in Hinduism Dharma - Proto-dharma: rta in the Vedas Dharma - Developing conceptions Dharma - Dharma as a Purushartha Dharma - Kane's view
Dharma - In Jainism
Dharma - The two Dharmas
Dharma - In Buddhism
Dharma - The teachings of the Buddha Dharma - Qualities of Buddha Dharma Dharma - Dharmas in Buddhist phenomenology Dharma - Dharma as righteousness

Read more here: » Dharma: Encyclopedia - Dharma

Dharma (Sanskrit, roughly law or way) is the way of the higher Truths. Dharma forms the basis for philosophies, beliefs and practices originating in India. The oldest of these, widely known as Hinduism, is Sanatana Dharma or Eternal Dharma. Buddhism, Ayyavazhi, Jainism and Sikhism also retain the centrality of Dharma. In these traditions, beings that live in harmony with Dharma proceed more quickly towards moksha, nirvana, or personal liberation. Dharma also refers to the teachings and doctrines of t ...

Including:

Dharma - Meanings and origins of the word Dharma Dharma - Dharma in Hinduism
Dharma - Proto-dharma: rta in the Vedas Dharma - Developing conceptions Dharma - Dharma as a Purushartha Dharma - Kane's view
Dharma - In Jainism
Dharma - The two Dharmas
Dharma - In Buddhism
Dharma - The teachings of the Buddha Dharma - Qualities of Buddha Dharma Dharma - Dharmas in Buddhist phenomenology Dharma - Dharma as righteousness

Read more here: » Dharma: Encyclopedia - Dharma

Dharma

Dharma is a very complicated word, for which there is no equivalent word in any other language, including English. Dharma actually means that which upholds this entire creation. It is a Divine law that is inherent and invisible, but responsible for all existence. Dharma exists in all planes, in all aspects and at all levels of creation. In the context of human life, dharma consists of all that an individual undertakes in harmony with Divine expectations and his own inner spiritual aspirations, actions that would ensure order and harmony with in himself and in the environment in which he lives.

Read more here: » Dharma: Hinduism Dharma

In Hinduism, the purusharthas are the four chief aims of human life. Arranged from lowest to highest, these goals are: sensual pleasures (kama), worldly status and security (artha), personal righteousness and social morality (dharma), and liberation from the cycle of reincarnation (moksha). All of these are considered acceptable personal goals as long as they follow Vedic morality. Other related archivesHinduism, Vedic, artha, dharma, kama, moksha, reincarnation

Read more here: » Purusharthas: Encyclopedia - Purusharthas

Kama may refer to several things Kama, a Hindu god The term "Kama" also refers to one of the 4 goals of life according to Hindu traditions (Purusharthas) - these include Dharma, artha, kama, and moksha The Kama River, a tributary of the Volga river, in Russia Kama, sickle-like weapons, often wielded in both hands, that evolved from tools used for cutting weeds in Japan "Kāma" means pleasure. Kama, Estonian food. Charles Wright (wres ...

Read more here: » Kama: Encyclopedia - Kama

Purushartha:

purpose of the consciousness, of man's existence- the four basic needs or desires, arth, kaama, dharma, moksha

(See also: Purushartha, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

purushartha

The four standard goals of human life: dharma (religiosity), artha (economic development), kama (sense gratification), and moksha (liberation).

(See also: purushartha, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Four Goals of Life (purusharthas): Ideal aims of life in Hindu social duty (dharma), including pleasure (kama), success (artha), right conduct (dharma), and liberation (moksha).

 (See also: Four Goals of Life, Eastern Philosophy, Body Mind and Soul)

artha: (Sanskrit) "Goal" or "purpose;" wealth, substance, property, money. Also has the meaning of utility; desire. See: dharma, purushartha.

(See also: Artha, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

artha: (Sanskrit) "Goal" or "purpose;" wealth, substance, property, money. Also has the meaning of utility; desire. See: dharma, purushartha.

(See also: Artha, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Kama: (Sanskrit , "desire")

1)    One of Hinduism's four goals of life (purusharthas), together with dharma (religion), artha (profit), and moksha (liberation).

2)    Kama incarnate is the god of erotic love, who incites lust by means of arrows made of flowers shot from a bowstring made of bees.

(See also: Kama, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Kama: (Sanskrit , "desire")

1)    One of Hinduism's four goals of life (purusharthas), together with dharma (religion), artha (profit), and moksha (liberation).

2)    Kama incarnate is the god of erotic love, who incites lust by means of arrows made of flowers shot from a bowstring made of bees.

(See also: Kama, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

grihastha dharma: (Sanskrit) "Householder law."

The virtues and ideals of family life. This dharma includes all nonmonastics, whether married, single or gay. In general, grihastha dharma begins with the completion of the period of studentship and extends throughout the period of raising a family (called the grihastha ashrama).

Specific scriptures, called Dharma Shastras and Grihya Shastras, outline the duties and obligations of family life.

In Hinduism, family life is one of serving, learning and striving within a close-knit community of many relatives forming a joint family and its broader connections as an extended family under the aegis of a spiritual guru. Each is expected to work harmoniously to further the wealth and happiness of the family and the society, to practice religious disciplines and raise children of strong moral fiber to carry on the tradition.

Life is called a jivayajna, "self-sacrifice," for each incarnation is understood as an opportunity for spiritual advancement through fulfilling one's dharma of birth, which is the pattern one chose before entering this world, a pattern considered by many as bestowed by God.

In the majority of cases, sons follow in the footsteps of their father, and daughters in those of their mother. All interrelate with love and kindness. Respect for all older than oneself is a keynote. Marriages are arranged and the culture is maintained.

The householder strives to fulfill the four purusharthas, "human goals" of righteousness, wealth, pleasure and liberation. While taking care of one's own family is most central, it is only part of this dharma's expectations.

Grihasthas must support the religion by building and maintaining temples, monasteries and other religious institutions, supporting the monastics and disseminating the teachings.

They must care for the elderly and feed the poor and homeless. Of course, the duties of husband and wife are different. The Tirukural describes the householder's central duties as serving these five: ancestors, God, guests, kindred and himself. The Dharma Shastras, similarly, enjoin daily sacrifice to rishis, ancestors, Gods, creatures and men.

See: ashrama dharma, extended family, joint family, yajna.

(See also: Grihastha dharma, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

purushartha: (Sanskrit) "Human wealth or purpose."

The four pursuits in which humans may legitimately engage, also called chaturvarga, "four-fold good" - a basic principle of Hindu ethics.

-       dharma: "Righteous living." The fulfillment of virtue, good works, duties and responsibilities, restraints and observances - performing one's part in the service and upliftment of society. This includes pursuit of truth under a guru of a particular parampara and sampradaya. Dharma is of four primary forms. It is the steady guide for artha and kama.

-       See: dharma.

-       artha: "Wealth." Material welfare and abundance, money, property, possessions. Artha is the pursuit of wealth, guided by dharma. It includes the basic needs - food, money, clothing and shelter - and extends to the wealth required to maintain a comfortable home, raise a family, fulfill a successful career and perform religious duties. The broadest concept of wealth embraces financial independence, freedom from debt, worthy children, good friends, leisure time, faithful servants, trustworthy employees, and the joys of giving, including tithing (dashamamsha), feeding the poor, supporting religious mendicants, worshiping devoutly, protecting all creatures, upholding the family and offering hospitality to guests. Artha measures not only riches but quality of life, providing the personal and social security needed to pursue kama, dharma and moksha. It allows for the fulfillment of the householder's five daily sacrifices, pancha mahayajna: to God, ancestors, devas, creatures and men.

-       See: yajna.

-       kama: "Pleasure, love; enjoyment." Earthly love, aesthetic and cultural fulfillment, pleasures of the world (including sexual), the joys of family, intellectual satisfaction. Enjoyment of happiness, security, creativity, usefulness and inspiration.

-       See: Kama Sutras.

-       moksha: "Liberation." Freedom from rebirth through the ultimate attainment, realization of the Self God, Parasiva. The spiritual attainments and superconscious joys, attending renunciation and yoga leading to Self Realization. Moksha comes through the fulfillment of dharma, artha and kama (known in Tamil as aram, porul and inbam, and explained by Tiruvalluvar in Tirukural) in the current or past lives, so that one is no longer attached to worldly joys or sorrows. It is the supreme goal of life, called paramartha.

See: liberation, moksha.

(See also: Purushartha, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

The word Dharma (Sanskrit; "धर्म" in the Devanagari script) or dhamma (Pali) is used in most or all philosophies and religions of Indian origin, the dharmic faiths, namely Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma), Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Dharma also is practiced in the Surat Shabda Yoga traditions. In its oldest form, dharman, it first appears in the Vedas. It is difficult to provide a single concise definition for Dharma (life fails to convey its connoted complexity). The word has a long and ...

See also:

Dharma, Dharma - Meanings and origins of the word Dharma, Dharma - Dharma in Hinduism, Dharma - Origin and development in Hinduism, Dharma - Proto-dharma: rta in the Vedas, Dharma - Developing conceptions, Dharma - Dharma as a Purushartha, Dharma - Kane's view, Dharma - In Jainism, Dharma - The two Dharmas, Dharma - In Buddhism, Dharma - The teachings of the Buddha, Dharma - Qualities of Buddha Dharma, Dharma - Dharmas in Buddhist phenomenology, Dharma - Dharma as righteousness

Read more here: » Dharma: Encyclopedia II - Dharma - Meanings and origins of the word Dharma

Dharma is natural. Jain Acharya Samantabhadra writes: "Vatthu sahavo dhammo" the dharma is the nature of an object. It is the nature of the soul to be free, thus for the soul, the dharma ia paralaukika, beyond worldly. However the nature of the body is to seek self-preservation and be engaged in pleasures. Thus there are two dharmas. Dharma - The two Dharmas. Acharya Haribhadra (approx. 6-7th cent.) discusses dharma in Dharma-Bindu. he writes (Translation by Y. Malaiya): soayam-anushhThaatRi-bhedat dvi-vidho ...

See also:

Dharma, Dharma - Meanings and origins of the word Dharma, Dharma - Dharma in Hinduism, Dharma - Origin and development in Hinduism, Dharma - Proto-dharma: rta in the Vedas, Dharma - Developing conceptions, Dharma - Dharma as a Purushartha, Dharma - Kane's view, Dharma - In Jainism, Dharma - The two Dharmas, Dharma - In Buddhism, Dharma - The teachings of the Buddha, Dharma - Qualities of Buddha Dharma, Dharma - Dharmas in Buddhist phenomenology, Dharma - Dharma as righteousness

Read more here: » Dharma: Encyclopedia II - Dharma - In Jainism