4 purusharthas in bhagavatam

*Purusharthas in a Seeker's Life - Bhagavatam*

There are four purusharthas - dharma, artha, kāma, moksha. Among these मोक्ष एव परमपुरुषार्थः - मोक्ष is the supreme because it is permanent (नित्य). Artha and kāma are to be enjoyed only within the boundaries of Dharma, while Moksha stands separate and those who want it can pursue it. Usually we perform Dharma to gain artha (material gain or wealth) so that we can pursue kāma (sense gratification and desires). We watch many beautiful things that pleases us, hear sounds that please us, eat those that gratify our taste buds etc. In order to do these we obtain all the necessary wealth and other means by doing a nice profession and all good ways. We do vratas, rituals and ceremonies to obtain wealth. This is how we usually pursue these four purusharthas. This is a general way of understanding. However Bhāgavatam prescribes a very different way of relating or pursuing these four purusharthas in one's (a seeker's) life. (Bhagavatam - Skandha 1 - Chapter 2)

धर्मस्य ह्यापवर्ग्यस्य नार्थोऽर्थायोपकल्पते ।

नार्थस्य धर्मैकान्तस्य कामो लाभाय हि स्मृतः ॥ ९ ॥

कामस्य नेन्द्रियप्रीतिः लाभो जीवेत यावता ।

जीवस्य तत्त्वजिज्ञासा नार्थो यश्चेह कर्मभिः ॥ १० ॥

Now, Bhagavatam says, धर्मस्य ह्यापवर्ग्यस्य - Dharma is to be performed to obtain moksha but not for artha and kāma. That is to practice Karma Yoga. नार्थायोपकल्पते - Dharma is not for material gain here and hereafter. Now what about Artha and Kāma? अर्थस्य धर्मैकान्तस्य न कामो लाभाय - Artha is for Dharma not for fulfilling desires. Earn loads of materials, wealth and all securities to pursue Dharma but not to pursue desires and sense gratification.

Then what about Kāma? कामस्य नेन्द्रियप्रीतिः - Kāma is not for sense gratification. Then for what? लाभो जीवेत यावता - just to lead a healthy life all through. Seriously? Yes, pursue desires just to lead a healthy life but not for sense gratification. Why do I need to live a long healthy life then? जीवस्य तत्त्वजिज्ञासा नार्थो यश्चेह कर्मभिः - Live to pursue Self Knowledge, to inquire the Truth but not for obtaining material gains. Do all those actions that fit into this prescription.

So Bhagavatam prescribes to pursue Dharma for Moksha, pursue artha for Dharma, pursue kāma to lead a healthy life so that you can go along the path of knowing the Truth. So says, the mahatmas who knew the Non-Dual Truth (वदन्ति तत् तत्त्वविदः तत्त्वं यत् ज्ञानमद्वयम्).