The Four Goals of Life and The Teaching of the Five Debts .
Every human being is not born into this world as a blank slate, but entrusted with two sacred inheritances: the Four Goals of Life (Purusarthas) and the Five Debts (Pancha riṇa). The Purusarthas , Dharma (righteous duty), Artha (prosperity), Kama (rightful enjoyment of desires), and Mokṣa (liberation) form the framework of a purposeful and balanced life. To fulfill these aims, God has bestowed upon human beings intelligence, mind, senses and sense-organs, along with vitality. Alongside these goals, each person carries the Five obligation of repaying the debts owed to the gods (Deva-rna), to the sages (Ṛishi-ṛṇa), and to the ancestors (Pitṛ-rna), to the society & country, to the nature and mother earth . Together, these sacred ideals shape human destiny, ensuring that life is not merely lived, but lived meaningfully , harmonizing duty, desire, prosperity, and spiritual freedom, while honoring gratitude to the divine, to wisdom, and to one’s lineage.
निष्काम कर्म – संसार धर्म।
निष्कामं कर्म सदा सर्वदा मनः-निवेशेन कुरुत।
निष्कामं धर्मं सदा सर्वदा महा-आनन्देन पालय।
ईश्वरे पूर्णं विश्वासं कुरुत, स्वयं तस्य दासं मनसि धारय।
सर्वेषु जीवेषु दयां कुरुत, दीन-दुःखितेभ्यः दानं कुरुत।
नित्यं सर्वेषां सेवा कुरुत, संसार-धर्मं पूर्ण-रूपेण पालय।
सर्वाणि कर्माणि ईश्वराय अर्पय, सदा सर्वदा तं मनसि धारय॥
★
भागवतधर्मः
सदा पवित्रे स्थाने वासः शुद्धभोजनसेवनम्।
सर्वकर्माणि संकल्प्य तानि ईश्वराय समर्पितम्॥
भक्त्या श्रद्धया सहितं भगवतः पूजनं सदा।
भक्त्या श्रद्धया सहितं सर्वदैव उत्सवपालनम्॥
निष्कामकर्मसंपादनं भगवतः नित्यस्मरणम्।
निष्कामधर्मपालनं भगवतः नित्यमननम्॥
गूढं भागवततत्त्वं तु सर्वदुःखविनाशनम्।
यः सर्वेषु जीवेष्वेव ईश्वरं पश्यति सत्वरम्॥
एतदेव श्रेष्ठं धर्मं ईश्वरवर्णितं परमपवित्रम्।
गूढं भागवततत्त्वं तद् सर्वदुःखविनाशनम्॥
Purusharthas – The Four Goals of Life.
The Purusharthas represent the four essential aims that guide human life:
Dharma – Righteousness, duty, and moral values that direct ethical living and ensure harmony in society.
Artha – Wealth, prosperity, and material well-being, to sustain a stable and responsible life while remaining aligned with Dharma.
Kama – Desire, love, and emotional fulfillment, pursued in balance with virtue and responsibility.
Moksha – Moksha (Liberation) is the journey from self-realization to spiritual realization, leading to spiritual freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
Gṛihastha Ashrama is the best platform for pursuing the four goals of life.
Within this stage, a person rightly strives to fulfill the four puruṣarthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha).
Grihastha ashrama Begins After Marriage.
In Hindu philosophy, human life is divided into four stages (Ashramas): Brahmacharya (student life), Grihastha (householder life), Vanaprastha (retired life), and Sannyasa (renounced life). Among these, Grihastha ashrama holds the most fundamental and central position.
The Foundation of Dharma
The householder sustains all other three ashramas. Brahmacharins, vanaprasthis, and sannyasins depend upon the food and resources provided by the Grihastha for their livelihood.
Fulfilment of the Four Aims of Life
Within Grihastha ashrama, a person rightly pursues the four puruṣarthas (goals of life): Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desires), and Moksha (liberation).
A Life of Responsibility
This stage emphasizes dutiful responsibility towards family, society, and the nation, cultivating ethical and social values.
The Path to Liberation
One who faithfully follows the householder’s duties becomes qualified for and ultimately attains Moksha.
Thus, Grihastha ashrama transcends mere family life; it is the very pillar of society and the foundation of Dharma.
The householder (Grihastha), by discharging his debts, should fulfil all duties of dharma. For dharma indeed is the means to the attainment of mokṣa. (Taittiriya Upaniṣad I.11.1).
तैत्तिरीय उपनिषद् के अनुसार, गृहस्थ जीवन में धर्म का पालन मोक्ष मार्ग का सहायक है।
"ऋणान्यनवृत्त्य गृहस्थः, धर्मान्सर्वान्संपादयेत्। धर्मस्य तु मोक्ष प्राप्ति हेतुता। तैत्तिरीय उपनिषद् (I.11.1)
अभिप्राय: गृहस्थ को अपने सभी कर्तव्य धर्मपूर्वक निभाने चाहिए, जिससे मोक्ष का मार्ग प्रशस्त होता है।
गृहस्थाश्रम-स्तवनम्।
मङ्गलाचरणम्
नारायणाय शान्ताय सत्यधर्मप्रवर्तिने।
गृहस्थाश्रममाहात्म्यं यो ददातु स मे गुरुः॥
१
गृहस्थाश्रमो धर्मफलेषु श्रेष्ठोऽर्थकामदः।
सिद्धिं तस्य विधत्त्येव देवो युगे युगेऽव्ययः॥
२
गृहस्थधर्ममासाद्य निष्ठया यः समाचरेत्।
ततः संन्यासमार्गेण प्रवेशं कर्तुमर्हति॥
३
संन्यासादपि श्रेष्ठोऽयं गृहस्थो धर्मसङ्ग्रहः।
तमाश्रित्यैव भगवान् युगे युगेऽव्ययोऽस्थितः॥
४
धर्मार्थकामसमृद्धये गृहस्थाश्रम एव हि।
मोक्षपदमपि ददाति धर्मोऽयं स्मृत्यनन्यया॥
५
शुभाशुभविवर्जितो गृहस्थधर्म उदाहृतः।
सर्वपुण्यफलैः पूर्णो यत्र तिष्ठति मानवः॥
फलश्रुतिः
गृहस्थाश्रमस्तवनमिदं यः पठेत् श्रद्धयान्वितः।
सौख्यं ज्ञानं च लभते धर्मार्थकाममोक्षदम्॥
समापनम्
नमस्ते गृहस्थाश्रमाय धर्ममार्गप्रवर्तिने।
सर्वेषां श्रेयसे नित्यं मङ्गलं दिशतु प्रभुः॥
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मानवानां आयुःप्रमाणवचनम्
(मानवायुः शास्त्रसम्मतम्)
शतं वा शताधिकं वापि मानवानां हि जीवनम्।
एतत् प्रह्लादभक्तेन सखायः समुदाहृतम्॥
श्रीकृष्णोपदिशेऽप्युक्तं सम्यगेव निरूपितम्।
शतं वा शताधिकं वर्षसंख्यं आयुः मानवानाम्॥
नाधिकं नापि न्यूनं तत् प्रमाणं शास्त्रसम्मतम्॥
मिथ्या जीवने मृत्युः श्रेष्ठः, असत्यकर्मफलदुःखम्।
सत्यधर्मचरिणः मोक्षः, सदा मुक्तः सुखदायकः॥
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भगवत्कथाश्रवणस्य महिमा
(तीर्थातीतं भगवत्स्मरणम्)
अहं अज्ञानी मनसि आशां बिभ्र्याम्।
सर्वानि तीर्थानि भ्रमणेन द्रक्ष्यामि।
परन्तु भगवत्कृपया श्रवणे ज्ञातवान्,
केवलं भगवत्कथाश्रवणमननचिन्तन।
सर्वतत्त्वतीर्थपुण्यज्ञानं विद्यमानम्।
एष अज्ञानिभक्तेभ्यः ददाति ऊर्ध्वमार्गं।
एष सनातनधर्मस्य सनातनमतम्॥
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धनार्जन–दानग्रहण–नीतिवचनम्
शृणुत भक्तजनाः, एतत् सत्यं सनातनं वचनम्।
अकारणम् अप्रयोजने परधनग्रहणं न विधेयम्।
बुद्धि–विद्या–श्रमैरेव धनोपार्जनं कर्तव्यम्।
एष एव सनातनधर्मस्य सत्यसनातननियमः।
अकारणम् अप्रयोजने दानग्रहणं न विधेयम्।
असमर्थतायां, धर्मसङ्कटे एव, दानग्रहणं समीचीनम्।
एष एव सनातनपरम्परायाः वास्तविकः सत्यनियमः॥
★
Dharma – Dharma is that which leads to both worldly progress and spiritual well-being. It guides individuals toward righteousness, virtue, and moral values.
Artha – After Dharma, Artha holds significance. The world cannot function without wealth, but it must be earned ethically and in accordance with Dharma. A person who disregards Dharma in the pursuit of wealth exploits natural resources irresponsibly, disrupts environmental balance, and brings numerous diseases and sufferings to society for temporary gains.
Kama – The fulfillment of desires helps cleanse the mind and brings balance to life. However, it should be pursued within the boundaries of Dharma and Artha to ensure harmony and well-being.
Moksha – Kama is inferior to Artha, Artha is inferior to Dharma, and the ultimate goal of Dharma is Moksha. All other beings exist merely for sensory pleasures, whereas human life is meant for action (Karma Yoni), providing a path to liberation (Moksha).
पञ्चऋणोपदेशः
प्रत्येकः जन्मनि लोके धारयत्येव पञ्च ऋणम्।
देवऋणं ऋषिऋणं पितृऋणं चतुर्थकम्॥
समाज–राष्ट्रऋणं चैव प्रकृतेर्भूमिजं तथा।
एतानि पञ्च ऋणानि नित्यं स्मर्तव्यानि सदा॥
देवऋणं यज्ञकृत्या स्यात् ऋषिऋणं स्वाध्यायतः।
पितृऋणं तु तर्पैश्च सन्तत्या च विशुध्यति॥
समाजऋणं सेवा–कर्म राष्ट्रऋणं स्वधर्मतः।
प्रकृतेरृणमेतत्तु संरक्षणेन शुद्ध्यति॥
धर्मबुद्ध्या प्रयत्नेन यो नरोऽत्र समाचरेत्।
स एव पूर्णजीवित्वं लभते नात्र संशयः॥
★
धर्मपूर्वकं प्रजननम्।
The Teaching of the Five Debts (Panca-ṛṇa)
Every human being is said to be born into this world carrying five inherent debts, known as the pañca-ṛṇa — the Five Sacred Obligations.
1. Debt to the Gods (Deva-ṛṇa)
This debt is discharged through sacrifices, rituals, prayers, and acts of devotion that sustain harmony with the divine powers upholding the universe.
2. Debt to the Sages (Ṛṣi-ṛṇa)
This debt is fulfilled by studying the scriptures, pursuing true knowledge, preserving sacred wisdom, and sharing it with others for their upliftment.
3. Debt to the Ancestors (Pitṛ-ṛṇa)
This debt is purified by offering oblations (śrāddha), performing ancestral rites, and continuing the noble lineage through righteous progeny.
4. Debt to Society and Humanity (Manuṣya-ṛṇa)
This debt is repaid through service to society and the nation—by practicing respect, love, truthfulness, virtuous conduct, hospitality, generosity, and adherence to dharma in word and deed.
5.Debt to Nature and the Earth (Bhū-ṛṇa)
This debt is purified through reverence for nature, by conserving and protecting the environment, planting trees, practicing non-harm (ahiṃsa), respecting all living beings, using natural resources with restraint, and offering sustenance to animals, birds, and plants.
Thus, the doctrine of the Five Debts guides human life toward balance, moral integrity, and spiritual fulfillment. By conscientiously discharging these five Debts ( Pañca-ṛṇa) through the observance of the above-mentioned measures and other similar measures, one attains harmony with creation and progresses toward liberation in accordance with the eternal Dharma.
Dos and Don’ts of Eternal Religion
Mock not the grace that women bear;
She cradles life with tender care.
Deceive no child whose heart is pure;
Their trust is sacred, their love secure.
Betray not faith so deep, so true;
Her strength awakes in every hue.
Raise not the hand on humankind-
We all are threads in life entwined.
Spare every soul of guiltless birth;
Compassion still upholds the earth.
Let no one suffer by thy pride;
For God walks humbly at their side.
Shun paths of hatred, greed, and spite;
Let truth and mercy be your light.
Guard well the thought, the word, the deed;
For mind’s the field where virtues seed.
Revere the Earth-her woods and seas;
They breathe our life in silent peace.
Harm not the beasts, nor waste the field;
To love all life is virtue’s shield.
Forgive the wrong, release the chain;
For wrath returns as deeper pain.
In pardon rests the soul made free;
Forgiveness mirrors divinity.
Serve the weak, the lost, the poor;
Through service true, God guards the door.
Let giving hands and hearts unite-
For selfless love is sacred might.
Let pride not blind the inward sight;
The meek in spirit walk in light.
Honour the wise, the saint, the sage;
Their words redeem the darkest age.
Shun cruel ways and restless night;
Let peace and truth be your guiding light.
Where love is law and hate departs,
There Dharma lives in human hearts.
Where life is truth and souls are art,
Eternal Dharma breathes through every heart.
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Life’s Guiding Principles.
Wed the young at rightful time,
Teach them virtue, truth sublime.
Guide them well, let family stand,
In dharmic ways, by sacred hand.
Revere the rites and lore of old,
Preserve the values, strong and bold.
Reveal life’s purest, highest accord
Union eternal with the Supreme Lord.
Train the mind, its passions tame,
Quench desire, greed, anger, flame.
Let craving’s fire be quenched away,
Let self-restraint shine bright each day.
Parents live with noble aim, with grace,
Self-reliant, steadfast in dharmic place.
May Dharma reign, may wisdom glow,
In truth and peace let pure love flow.
Each being bears the duty to create,
To bring new life forth, to shape their fate.
Yet pause awhile, and deeply see
Am I prepared to love, to tend, to be?
With careful thought and mindful choice,
Let wisdom guide your heart’s true voice.
💖
Where equality walks, peace is born,
Where hearts are one, no soul is torn.
Similarity bridges mind to mind,
In shared reflection, truth we find.
But inequality sows the seeds of strife,
And conflict cuts through human life.
Dissimilarity widens the divide,
Where pride and difference collide.
So choose the path where all are seen,
Equal in worth, in shade and sheen.
For peace abides where oneness grows,
And love is equal-where equality flows.
