After the two goals ‘arthā’ and ‘kāma’, a third goal, which is to be treated as the foremost of purushārtha given by Veda is ‘dharmā ‘.

What is dharmā ? It is one of the most important words that we must understand and which also has different meanings depending on the context. Here as we are considering the human goals, the word ‘dharmā ‘ is to be taken as a ‘sādhya’ or the attainment. As a purushārtha, the word ‘dharmā ‘ refers to the stock of benefits by doing virtuous deeds.

An equivalent phrase is ‘punyā ‘.

Why do we need punyā ? Why should we do virtuous deeds? Who defines what is virtuous? How can the Veda define what is righteous and what is not! After all, Veda is ancient, why these ancient codes are relevant to the modern world! To achieve my ‘arthā’ and ‘kāma’, If I can steal and get away, what is the harm!

Why can’t I take control of how I lead my life?

Well, Veda completely agrees with that view. In fact, In your control your life is, as it was and as it will be; the more you realize this, more you would need to adhere to dharmā.

To understand this, first we should admit the two roles that we have inherently assumed for ourselves. What are these two roles that we have assumed

(to be continued – Mee. Rajagopalan – 19/05/2017)