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Artha as a concept includes multiple meanings. It is difficult to capture the meaning of artha, or related terms of dharma, kama and moksha, each in a single English word. [9] Artha, as a goal of life, involves the pursuit of wealth and power. Some traditions see it as the primary human objective, as noted in Manusmriti (2.224).
Artha (prosperity, wealth, purpose, meaning, economic security) is one of the four aims of human life in Hinduism (Puruṣārtha), [35] the others being dharma (laws, duties, rights, virtues, right way of living), [36] kama (pleasure, emotions, sex) [37] and moksha (spiritual liberation). [38] Śāstra is the Sanskrit word for "rules" or "science".
The proper pursuit of artha is considered an important aim of human life in Hinduism. [ 21 ] [ 22 ] Kama – signifies desire, wish, passion, emotions, pleasure of the senses, the aesthetic enjoyment of life, affection, or love, with or without lustful connotations. [ 23 ]
Smriti is a derivative secondary work and is considered less authoritative than Sruti in Hinduism, except in the Mimamsa school of Hindu philosophy. [13] [22] [23] The authority of smriti accepted by orthodox schools, is derived from that of shruti, on which it is based. [24] [25] The Smrti literature is a corpus of diverse varied texts. [13]
Gṛhastha is considered to be the most intense of all four stages, where a man or woman pursues all four goals of life, with greater emphasis on first three - Dharma, Artha and Kama. [4] [5] [12] In contrast, Sannyasa is the stage where the individual renounces Artha and Kama, and pursues Moksha with a single minded pursuit. [4] [7]
Sanskrit scholar Maurice Bloomfield referred to Ṛta as "one of the most important religious conceptions of the Rigveda", going on to note that, "from the point of view of the history of religious ideas we may, in fact we must, begin the history of Hindu religion at least with the history of this conception". [3]
Hindu art found its first inspiration in the Buddhist art of Mathura. The three Vedic gods Indra , Brahma and Surya were actually first depicted in Buddhist sculpture, as attendants in scenes commemorating the life of the Buddha, such as his Birth, his Descent from the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven , or his retreat in the Indrasala Cave . [ 13 ]
It is necessary for human life, essential for well-being of every individual, and wholesome when pursued with due consideration of dharma and artha. Unlike the precepts of some religions, kama is celebrated in Hinduism, as a value in its own right. [31] Together with artha and dharma, it is an aspect of a holistic life.