Hindu Sastras prescribe four main requirements for living – Dharma, Artha, Kaama and Moksha. What do these four mean?

Dharma, the first and foremost, refers to the performance of good and righteous activities; Artha refers to material pursuits; Kaama refers to sensual and mental pleasures; and Moksha means spiritual salvation. Many people perceive that Hinduism consists of only rituals and high philosophy disregarding the mental and materialistic desires of ordinary mortals. It is not really so because Artha and Kaama are included in the four requirements along with Dharma.

Let me cite another unique aspect of Hinduism. While other religions see Moksha or spiritual salvation as something that can be attained only after death, Hinduism pronounces that salvation could be realized within one’s life itself. The well-known Purusha Suktham declares,”तमेवं विद्वान अमृत इह भवति (tam evam vidvAn amRta iha bhavati)” meaning “Anyone who knows Him thus, will become immortal even in this life.”

How does one follow Dharma? The methods for practising Dharma, called as Dharmapramanas, are primarily contained in fourteen ancient scriptures. These are:

1. The four Vedas
2. The six Vedangas or the organs of the Vedas
3. Meemamsa
4. Nyaaya
5. The Puranas
6. The Dharma Sastras

Apart from knowledge and enlightenment, these fourteen scriptures provide the paths to the attainment of Moksha or spiritual salvation. No doubt, Vedas are the most important among these fourteen scriptures.