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Introduction
With this background Indian thinkers proceed to the study of what man should be and what be should pursue. They comprehend the scope of this topic by the significant Sanskrit compound 'Purushartha'. Sometimes this word has been translated by Indian writers of note, when discussing the topic, as "the values of life". But the defect in translating it thus is that the "values of life" have always meant to western thinkers those ultimate values, which are referred to as Truth, Goodness and Beauty.
They exist apart from the objects possessing them. They are not
subjective, but, according to western writers, are entirely objective and absolute. But
" Purushartha, " means and connotes the aims and purposes of life or the
fundamental aspirations of man. The term ‘Purushartha ' not only denotes what
the objectives of life should be, but it also
comprehends what the objectives of life are as the result of the psychological tendencies
of the individual. These Purusharthas are said to be fourfold. The Agni Purana states
expressly that Dharma. Artha, Kama and Moksha are the four Purusharthas.
Author : Shri Dharma Rakshamani K.Balasubramania Iyer
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