Our ancient rishis enumerated
four goals of life:
- Dharma – Duty
- Artha – Material Wealth
- Kama – Desire
- Moksha – Liberation.
The roles of these four pillars…
and their unique features…
have blurred over time.
When we do our duty…
there is an expectation of…
material wealth as reward.
HOWEVER…the goal of DHARMA or
Duty is not wealth!
Duty leads to Moksha…
Self-realisation and actualisation.
We focus on material gain so life is:
- More comfortable
- More prosperous
- More pleasurable.
We perform duties in anticipation of:
enhanced comfort…
for sense gratification…
leading to happiness…
BUT that happiness does not sustain!
The Purpose of:
WEALTH IS NOT THE FULFILLMENT OF DESIRES.
NOR IS DESIRE TO SATISFY THE SENSES.
In A NUTSHELL…
ARTHA is for dharma.
DESIRE is for sustenance of life.
So…why do we eat?
To sustain life not to please the tongue.
Why do we sustain life?
- Realise the purpose of human life
- Inquire into the Truth that liberates
The aim of duty is to grow in devotion.
USE Material wealth…to perform duty better.
UNDERSTANDING THE FOUR GOALS:
Brings discipline…Makes us worthy.
Wealth and happiness
UNFAILINGLY follow.
Then performance of duty is natural…
IT IS SATISFYING…FULFILLING!!!
– – Swami Tejomayananda.
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