The western world tells us about the philosophical position of Axiology. It considers what is desirable, beautiful and enjoyable and then what is good and right. It focuses then on quality of life as it relates to the senses interacting with the mundane and then the individual’s attitudes and behaviour as it relates to the established norms of good conduct and principles. It therefore separates our pursuits into aesthetics and ethics. Sanatan Dharma expounds such a philosophy and uses it as the basis of developing a system within which man can be guided as to the appropriate engagement of each of these two pursuits, ethics and aesthetics.
The Purushartha system is given to man by our dharma in order to guide us through this journey of life. As we grow and develop both physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually, our attitudes, desires, ambitions and responsibilities change. Therefore we need a system that can inform us as to the path we need to follow as our goals in life change. The Purushartha or four pursuits in life are arth (material pursuits, name, respect, and status), dharma (proper principles, values and attitudes), kaam (enjoyment of legitimate sensual pleasures) and moksha (final benediction and freedom from the world of attachments).
These four pursuits can be divided into two broad headings: ethics and aesthetics. Dharma and moksha fall into the ethics category as they relate to the innate goodness and spiritual objective of mankind. Arth and kaam are categorized as aesthetics as they relate to quality of life and good living. If we are to further develop these points, ethics is classified as spiritual wealth while aesthetics is classified as material wealth. These two types of wealth are symbolized by the representation of Lakshmi Mata and the various components of the murti that one can see.
The murti of Lakshmi Maataa shows the Divine Mother with four hands; these hands represent the Purushaartha. Two of the hands are facing up in a blessing position. These represent the two goals in the ethics category, dharma and moksha, which are the spiritual pursuits. The two hands that are facing down are representative of the aesthetics in life, arth and kaam. This is supported by the falling jewellery and coins from the hands of Lakshmi Maataa and the spread of sweets, fruits and other items that bring enjoyment of the senses. Lakshmi Maataa’s colour is pink, which is a mix of red and white. White is traditionally the colour of purity while red is associated with materiality. The combination of white and red (pink), points to the dual pursuits of man, as we seek achievements in the material world and the spiritual world.
As man, we are supposed to pursue both of these sets of objectives and bring balance to our lives. The analogy of the bird is useful, where both wings are needed for that animal to soar. Both of the wings represent the spiritual and the material, the ethics and the aesthetics. The problem in life is that the aesthetics are pursued at the expense of the ethics and this is leading to the fall of dharma and good living. Qualities of respect, love, consideration and honesty are being eroded by the sea of selfishness, greed and hatred born out of idiosyncratic behaviours. We must recognise that balance is needed in order to arrest this surge in sensual enjoyment and once again bring our society into sync with what is expected of us from our dharma and our noble ancestry.
It should be noted that Sanatan Dharma has provided these guidelines for man to follow and once again we see the western world using our principles and developing them into world-accepted philosophies while we as Hindus are unaware of the existence and application of our own great dharma.
Jaago Santaan Bhai Aur Bahino!
