The Aim of Life
- Abhijeet Chauhan
- Dec 16, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: 14 hours ago
“Why am I here? What am I meant to do? Why does life feel uncertain even when I have everything I thought I wanted?”
If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, know that you’re not alone. Beneath the noise of everyday life, we all feel this pull—a longing to understand our purpose and find clarity.
The ancient Rishis didn’t just face these questions; they gave us answers—clear, structured, and timeless. The Purusharthas—the four aims of life—show us how to live with purpose and balance. These are:
1. Dharma – Living with righteousness.
2. Artha – Fulfilling material needs.
3. Kama – Pursuing joy and desires.
4. Moksha – Seeking liberation.
These four goals are not just philosophies. They are tools, guiding us through life’s challenges, pleasures, and transitions. At the core of it all is Dharma, a concept beautifully and deeply explained in the Bhagavad Gita—our ultimate teacher on how to live purposefully and make choices aligned with our highest self.
1. Dharma – The Anchor of Purpose
In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna stands on the battlefield, paralyzed by doubt. His heart wavers between what is easy and what is right. It is here that Krishna reminds him:
“You have a right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions.”
This is the essence of Dharma—doing what is right, regardless of the outcome. Dharma is not always the comfortable path, but it is the one that brings the deepest fulfillment. It is your role, responsibility, and higher calling—one that aligns your actions with truth.
Dharma is not “one-size-fits-all.” Each person’s Dharma is unique. It could mean standing up for justice, speaking a difficult truth, or simply fulfilling your role—whether as a parent, a leader, or a seeker—with integrity.
Reflect on this: What is the battlefield of your life? Where are you being called to act, even if it feels difficult?
2. Artha – Wealth as a Means, Not an End
While Dharma gives us purpose, Artha—the pursuit of material success—provides the stability to fulfill that purpose. The Gita teaches that wealth and resources are not evil; they are tools that must be used wisely.
Artha becomes meaningful when it serves your Dharma. Wealth created ethically and used for the benefit of yourself and others becomes an act of righteousness. On the other hand, hoarding or chasing money for its own sake will only deepen attachment and suffering.
Example: A doctor earning wealth not just for personal comfort but to provide affordable care to those in need fulfills both Artha and Dharma.
Reflect on this: How can you align your pursuit of success with a higher purpose? Are you using your resources to support your Dharma?
3. Kama – The Joy of Being Alive
Kama celebrates life’s beauty—relationships, art, love, and desires. It is about experiencing the world fully, with gratitude and awareness. The Gita reminds us that desires are not the enemy; it is our attachment to them that causes suffering.
When guided by Dharma, Kama becomes a source of joy, not chaos. Love shared selflessly, art created with devotion, or simple pleasures enjoyed mindfully all enrich the soul.
Example: A musician who creates soulful melodies not for fame but for the love of music experiences true Kama.
Reflect on this: Are your desires leading you toward connection and fulfillment, or are they pulling you further into restlessness?
4. Moksha – Freedom Beyond Attachment
At the heart of all human longing is the desire for freedom—freedom from suffering, attachment, and the illusion of separateness. Moksha, the final Purushartha, is this liberation.
The Gita teaches us that Moksha is not about rejecting life but engaging with it fully while remaining unattached to outcomes. It is about recognizing that we are not the doer but a part of the divine flow of existence.
“The soul is neither born, nor does it die. It is eternal, indestructible, and free.”
This realization comes gradually. By living in alignment with Dharma, pursuing Artha ethically, and embracing Kama mindfully, we prepare ourselves for the ultimate freedom of Moksha.
Reflect on this: What attachments are holding you back? What would it feel like to engage fully in life while letting go of the need to control the outcome?
Bringing the Purusharthas into Your Life
The Purusharthas aren’t just abstract ideas; they are a practical guide for living with purpose. Here’s how you can start integrating them:
1. Clarify Your Dharma: Reflect on your roles and responsibilities. What is life asking of you right now?
2. Align Artha with Purpose: Pursue success and stability, but let it support your higher values, not replace them.
3. Enjoy Kama Mindfully: Savor life’s joys without becoming a slave to them. Let your desires enrich, not entangle, you.
4. Move Toward Moksha: Begin by practicing detachment—do your best, let go of the rest. Seek time for reflection, meditation, and self-inquiry.
A Path Toward Fulfillment
The Purusharthas remind us that life is not a random series of struggles and desires. It is a meaningful journey—one where every experience is an opportunity to grow, learn, and align with our true purpose.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna’s message to Arjuna is timeless: Do your duty, live your Dharma, and let go of attachment to results. When we integrate Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha into our lives, we begin to experience this freedom—not in some distant future, but here and now.
So, ask yourself: What is the Dharma of this moment? How can I align with it today?
In the coming posts, we’ll dive deeper into each Purushartha—exploring how you can live your Dharma, pursue Artha mindfully, embrace Kama with balance, and move toward Moksha with grace.
Superlike. Very nicely explained.