Page 62 - Hinduism

CHAPTER VII VARṆAS AND ASRAMAS
Although our religion and philosophy consider mokṣa (beatitude) as the primary object of our desire, still they recognise three other objects which are to be attained consistent with the primary one. They are dharma, artha and kāma. These three are collectively known as Trivarga and along with mokṣa, as the caturvarga. These are not only ends in themselves but are also means to the principal object, mokṣa. Dharma is the practical method by which mokṣa can be attained. It regulates the conduct of a person who aims at mokṣa. It may be called a code of Ethics. The underlying principle in our code of Ethics is that one should prefer what is good or meritorious (śreyas) to what is pleasant or pleasurable (preyas). The man who prefers the latter is called ignorant while the man who prefers the former is called wise. The wise man knows that the pleasures of the world are transitory and perishing and that everlasting pleasure is only mokṣa. Even the joys of svarga and Brahmaloka which are gained by sacrifices and tapas are only transitory. So if a man has to attain everlasting joy, he must control his senses and realise his self. This is possible by following the course of dharma, When we follow dharma, we must follow it without any object in view, i.e. for its own sake, dedicating it to
God. Then only will it contribute to our good or 62