Important purusharth

Scriptures stipulate that dharm, or righteousness, is to be followed for obtaining arth, wealth, and this is the only sure path towards the goal of kaam, pleasure, happiness. If wealth is earned through adharm, or unrighteousness, it leads to social calamity and a loss of individual mental peace and happiness.

The happiness from ill-gotten wealth is fleeting and uneasy, as guilt and treachery are its foundation, said Acharya Vishnugupta to Emperor Chandragupta, when the emperor was shocked to hear that the acharya was punishing affluent and influential traders for their duplicity in business transactions. The desire to procure wealth is not evil, as it is one of the purusharths, but greed and using deceit towards this end are to be condemned.

Interestingly, Pandav brothers were asked to name purusharths that each one considered the most important. While Yudhishthir opted for dharm, Arjun voted for arth; he opined that nothing is possible without wealth, but Bhimsendev left all intrigued when he declared that it was kaam, or desire, that was most important.


He explained that unless one has the desire to obtain or do anything, other purusharths were of little use. He supported desires such as unflinching devotion to the Almighty and performing one's duty without expectations, as advised by Krishn.