Volume-XII, Special Issue, April 2026 |
মানব জীবনে চতুবর্গ পুরুষার্থের গুরুত্ব সোমা সরকার, ছাত্রী, কল্যাণী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, নদিয়া, পশ্চিমবঙ্গ,ভারত |
Received: 31.03.2026 | Accepted: 04.04.2026 | Published Online: 10.04.2026 | Page No: 215-223 | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.12.issue.specialW.284 | |||||||
The Importance of the Fourfold Purusharthas in Human Life Soma Sarkar, Student, University of Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India | ||
ABSTRACT | ||
This paper examines the significance of the Caturvarga Purusharthas—Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksha (liberation)—in shaping human life within the framework of Indian ethical thought. In the context of contemporary society, marked by moral decline, social disorder, materialism, and increasing violence, the study argues that the neglect of these foundational principles has contributed significantly to ethical and social crises. Drawing upon classical Indian philosophical texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita, the paper explores how each Purushartha functions both independently and in an integrated manner to guide human conduct.
Dharma is presented as the moral foundation that regulates both Artha and Kama, ensuring that the pursuit of material wealth and sensory desires remains ethically grounded. Artha is recognized as essential for sustaining life and fulfilling social responsibilities, but its acquisition must adhere to ethical norms. Kama, encompassing not only physical desire but also emotional and aesthetic fulfillment, is considered legitimate when governed by Dharma. Moksha, as the highest Purushartha, represents liberation from suffering and worldly bondage, achievable through knowledge, ethical conduct, and spiritual discipline.
The study also highlights how different philosophical traditions—including Sāṃkhya, Vedānta, Buddhism, and Jainism—interpret the path to liberation. It concludes that a balanced and conscious application of the four Purusharthas can lead to individual well-being and the creation of a harmonious and morally structured society.
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Keywords: Purusharthas, Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha, Ethics, Indian Philosophy |