Understanding Purushartha in the ethical dimension of the economy with reference to India’s Dharma-Centric knowledge system.
- Administrative Development: A Journal of HIPA, Shimla
- 9(2), Jul-Dec, 2022: p.81-89
This article explores the ethical dimension of the economy through the lens of Purushartha, the fourfold goals of human life in India’s Dharma-centric knowledge system: Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksha (liberation). It argues that economic activity, when guided by Dharma, transcends mere material accumulation and becomes a vehicle for social justice, sustainability, and moral responsibility. The study highlights how Artha must be pursued within the boundaries of Dharma, ensuring that wealth creation does not undermine ethical values or community welfare. By situating Purushartha within contemporary debates on economic ethics, the paper underscores its relevance in addressing challenges such as inequality, exploitation, and ecological imbalance. The Dharma-centric framework offers a holistic vision of development, integrating material prosperity with spiritual fulfillment, and positioning India’s philosophical traditions as a vital resource for rethinking global economic paradigms. When India’s Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, outlined his nation of Amanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (ABa) to make India and its citizens self-reliant and independent in the face of a global pandemic, the discussion over Dharma (ethics) and Aretha (Wealth) took centre stage once more. – Reproduced