The Four Goals of Life

Major aspects of Hindu dharma known as purushartha are:

Kama: Seeking physical (sensual love) or emotional pleasure within the limits of dharma.

Artha: As kama pursuit has a limiting satisfaction after while, artha or seeking power, fame and wealth will be complementary.

Dharma: With age and maturity, one will have the joy of living in harmony with dharma.

Moksha: The real and infinite goal of one life.

The Four Stages of Life

Known as four Ashramas, they are:

Brahmacharya: The first 20 years of life , preceded by the Upanayanam ceremony during which a child is considered to be born again. Brahmacharya is pure contemplation of life’s secrets under a Guru.

Grihastha : next 40 years (20-60) is the householder’s stage. One married, will satisfy karma and artha within a married life and career.

Vanaprastha: Next 20 years (60-80) is the detachment from the material world and entering in contemplation and pilgrimage.

Sanyasa: conception of the mystic life to prepare the next life or moksha.