Purusharthas and Ayurveda

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

Master Charaka, In the 30^th chapter of Sutra Sthana – Arthe Dasha Maha Mooliya Adhyaya, discusses about the interrelationship between Ayurveda, Varnas – classes of society and Purusharthas – the goals or pursuits of life. This is when he is discussing the eligibility to study and pursue Ayurveda. He also establishes the relationship between these three concepts in a most beautiful way.

Reference – Charaka Sutra Sthana, Chapter 30, Verse 29

Context – Eligible people for learning Ayurveda and their objectives

In this article, we will discuss a part of this context i.e. interrelationship between Purusharthas and Ayurveda. Before knowing this interrelationship, we will briefly try to know about the Purusharthas.

Purushartha Chatushtaya: The goals or pursuits of life

Purushartha means purpose, goal or pursuits of life. There are four goals which are meant for everyone in the creation. Each of us have to strive to achieve them in our lives and lay pathways leading towards achieving the same.

The Purusharthas are –

1.    Dharma – path of righteousness, doing everything right, in a righteous way. Dharma is defined in many ways and is contextual. It can mean moral uprightness, carrying out our spiritual duties and practices, dedicated learning or worshiping and serving the Gods. In simple terms, Dharma is the right and righteous way of living.

2.    Artha – to earn for living in a righteous and ethical way. It includes doing a work / good job, earning money and necessary amenities to run the family. Artha not only means earning wealth and material, it also is to earn name, fame and values in life.

3.    Kama – is to have meaningful desires and trying / putting efforts to get them fulfilled in a righteous and ethical way. Kama also includes enjoying those desires and good things in life. It is to love, to desire, to seek pleasure.

4.    Moksha – is to attain salvation and get freedom from the vicious cycle of life and death. Dharma, Artha and Kama practiced religiously throughout the life would lay the foundation for attaining Moksha. They are all interrelated. This can be achieved through introspection, self-realization and finding of inner self and elimination of sorrow and causes for the same, also involves detachment. Moksha also means spiritual freedom or realization.

Interrelationship between Ayurveda and Purusharthas

तत्र यदध्यात्मविदां धर्मपथस्थानां धर्मप्रकाशकानां वा मातृपितृभ्रातृबन्धुगुरुजनस्य वा विकारप्रशमने प्रयत्नवान् भवति,यच्चायुर्वेदोक्तमध्यात्ममनुध्यायति वेदयत्यनुविधीयते वा, सोऽस्य परो धर्मः; या पुनरीश्वराणां वसुमतां वा सकाशात्सुखोपहारनिमित्ता भवत्यर्थावाप्तिरारक्षणं च, या च स्वपरिगृहीतानां प्राणिनामातुर्यादारक्षा, सोऽस्यार्थः; यत् पुनरस्यविद्वद्ग्रहणयशः [२] शरण्यत्वं च, या च सम्मानशुश्रूषा, यच्चेष्टानां विषयाणामारोग्यमाधत्ते सोऽस्य कामः| इति यथाप्रश्नमुक्तमशेषेण||२९||

After saying particularly why people of different Varnas (except Shudras) i.e. Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas should study Ayurveda and explaining the purpose behind the same, Master Charaka emphasizes that ‘everyone should study Ayurveda’ and it is important for all.

Related Reading – Varnas and Ayurveda

Why should everyone study Ayurveda?

Master Charaka says that the knowledge of Ayurveda is needed for and forms the foundation for attainment of Purusharthas, mainly – Dharma, Artha and Kama.

So, this establishes the relationship between Ayurveda and Purusharthas.

But how can one attain Dharma, Artha and Kama by studying Ayurveda?

Let us see.

Ayurveda and Purusharthas

Dharma, Artha and Sukha (Kama) are the main pursuits in the life of every individual. He or she should live to attain these pursuits. To attain these pursuits, one needs good health and longevity. And to beget health and longevity one needs to respect and follow the instructions and teachings given in Ayurveda. Therefore, Ayurveda forms the bridge to attain the pursuits of life.

Master Charaka has said the same in the above said context.

Now let us see how the three pursuits can be attained with the help of Ayurveda.

1. Dharma – righteousness

One can attain Dharma or righteousness by considering, treating and respecting the spiritual scholars practicing and propagating righteousness as his or her mother, father, brother, friend or a senior / superior. There are many spiritual concepts which lay in the depth of Ayurveda literature (scriptures, treatises). Dharma can also be achieved by studying and practicing such spiritual knowledge explained in Ayurveda.

2. Artha – wealth

One who has learnt Ayurveda can use it in a professional way and can earn money / wealth by treating the kings, nobles and other wealthy individuals. At the same time, he or she can also earn protection and patronage of the kings. The Vaishyas fit into this category. Nowadays this can be achieved by clinical practice, working or owning hospitals, working as research personnels in private or Government sponsored research institutes, serving in health ministry or in educational institutes and universities. The Ayurveda practitioner can also protect his servants, subordinates and friends by administering proper treatment or guiding them with ideal ways of living.

3. Kama: Desires and pleasures

One can fulfill his or her Kama i.e. wish to fulfill the desires and pleasures by the respect shown towards him by the learned people and scholars, by his abilities to protect others, by prestige, obligation and reputation, and by keeping his beloved ones’ disease free.

The fourth Purushartha i.e. Moksha has not been mentioned herein, nor amongst the purpose of Ayurveda. This is because it is an entity which cannot be experienced or done, it is to be gained but the one who gains it would not know about it. Religiously practiced Dharma, Artha and Kama through Ayurveda knowledge and by following its principles as said above will pave way for attainment of enlightenment or salvation i.e., Moksha.