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| Integral Humanism |
INTEGRAL HUMANISM - CHAPTER 2 |
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| Similarly,
while we recognize the need to pay attention to the soul, we do not
neglect the body. Upanishads declare in unambiguous words i.e.
weakling cannot realize the self. Again Body is truly the primary
instrument to discharge the responsibilities that dharma in joins.
The fundamental difference between our position and that of the west
is that. whereas they have regarded body and satisfaction of its
desires as the aim, we regard the body as an instrument for
achieving our aims. We have recognized the importance of the body
only in this light. The satisfaction of our bodily needs is
necessary, but we don't consider this to be the sole aim of all our
efforts. Here in Bharat, we have placed before ourselves the ideal
of the four fold responsibilities, of catering for the needs of
body, mind, intellect and soul with a view of achieve the integrated
progress of man. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha are the four kinds
of human effort. Purushartha means efforts which befit a man. The
longings for Dharma, Artha Kama and Moksha, are inborn in man, and
satisfaction. Of these four efforts too, we have thought in an
integrated way. Even though Moksha has been considered the highest
of these purusharthas, efforts for Moksha alone are not considered
to give benefit to the soul. On the other hand, a person who engages
in action, while remaining unattached to its fruits, is said to
achieve Moksha inevitably and earlier.
Artha includes what is known as political and economic policies. According to the ancients, it used to include the justice and punishment also. Kama relates to the satisfaction of various natural desires. "Dharma" defines a set of rules to regulate the social activity. Artha and Kama, so as to progress in an integral and harmonious way, and attain not only Kama and Artha but also Moksha eventually. Thus even though Dharma regulates
Artha and Kama. all the three are interrelated and mutually
complementary. Dharma helps achieve Artha. Even in business, one
requires honesty, restraint, truthfulness etc. which are the
attributes of Dharma. Without these qualities one cannot earn money.
It must be admitted that Dharma is instrumental in attaining Artha
and Kama. Americans proclaimed, "Honesty is the best business
policy". In Europe they said, "Honesty is the best
policy". We go one step forward and assert "Honesty is not
a policy but a principle" i.e. we believe in dharma not just
because it is instrumental in acquiring Artha but because it is a
fundamental principle of civilized life. |
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