The Four Goals of Life

The Dharma-Shastras articulate four goals in life: Kama (pleasure), Artha (wealth), Dharma (right action), and Moksha (liberation). They build upon one another: the first three, Kama, Artha, and Dharma, generally relate to living in this world, whereas Moksha infers becoming free from this world. In dualist Dvaita perspective, Moksha requires transcending or abandoning worldly life, but in non-dualist Advaita perspectives, there is no schism, as Moksha is found equally within worldly life, not separate from it. These essays embrace the latter, as marriage implies a perfect and complete embodiment of the divine.